Geraldton premier trainer Gordan Spowart finally broke through for a city win, when his 4yo Churchill Downs gelding Hearts Of Fire ($6.00) made the most of the perfect racing conditions to the land the Yellowglen Melbourne Cup @ Ascot 6/11 HCP 1000m.
Public elect Buster’s Empire ($1.85) took up the early running, pushing forward with dazzling speed from barrier rise, trying to emulate the leading wins of Petrenui and McBlitzam earlier in the program. Jockey Pat Carbery rode Hearts Of Fire patiently two back on the rail, before extricating his mount into clear running passing the 450m mark, for a final assault on the leaders. In what was a devastating final 300m dash, Hearts Of Fire sprouted wings entering the straight, mowing down Buster’s Empire who run out of puff at the 200m, to claim victory by a dominant 1 ¼ lengths.
Stacks On ($7.00) worked home well late for second, with long shot Shardini ($41.00) a further ¼ length away in third – Buster’s Empire capitulating over the final stages to finish a disappointing second last.
Hearts Of Fire had taken all before in its previous Geraldton races, with a 5 ½ length massacre in its maiden race back in October last year, following that performance up with another two wins and a close second. With above average ability, the future looks bright for Spowart and his latest stable star.
Chris Blackwell