FIFI FIRES UP FOR BRADBURY’S!
BRADBURY’S LUCK capped a stellar day for Glenlogan Park’s stallion roster when his 6YO mare Fire Up Fifi delivered one of the performances of the carnival thus far at Flemington to take out the $220,000 G2 Blazer Stakes.
Having drawn barrier 15 in the 16 horse field, the Rob Heathcote trained mare had little option other than to settle at the tail of the field from the tricky 1410m start however regular jockey Damian Browne never panicked at any stage and timed his winning run on the Bradbury’s Luck mare to perfection.
With almost the entire field in front of them as they turned for home, Browne eased Fire Up Fifi to the centre of the track and then just let her work her way into it under her own steam until pushing the button about 250m from home.
“We got into three off at the back of them and I got cover and did nothing early in the run,” Browne said. “She was probably going a bit too well so I just nursed her but when she let down, she really let down well and attacked the line strongly.”
The win came as no surprise for her trainer who entered the G2 race with a good deal of confidence after being more than happy with her last start performance.
“She came home her last 600m in 33.6 seconds in Sydney but was just no hope of making any ground the way that race was run that day,” Rob explained. “Going into today’s event that was also our concern, the pace of the race, however once I saw them setting a reasonable tempo I knew she had the class to let down and it was a real thrill to see Damian sitting as quite as a church mouse until almost the final furlong.
“It was a masterful ride and she had the class and quality to take advantage of that.”
Fire Up Fifi now has the G1 Myer Classic firmly in her sights after her barnstorming victory and if she has any luck in running she is sure to make her presence felt.
The victory of the Bradbury’s Luck mare was not the only black type reward at Flemington for progeny of the Glenlogan sires though, as Bradbury’s also had Goldslick place in the $120,000 Listed Headquarter Tavern Stakes and Real Saga unearthed a potential Derby prospect when Epic Saga closed hard to finish runner up in the $120,000 Listed UCI Stakes over 1800m.
Racing in the familiar First Light Racing colours and trained out of the Ellerton – Zahra yard, Epic Saga worked strongly to the line and, at this stage, it is all system go for a shot at the Victoria Derby.
The promising 3YO will next step out in the G3 Norman Robinson Stakes over 2000m at Caulfield and the stable is confident this assignment will be right up his alley.
