10 Mar 2022Fireglow hasn’t been far off the best of his southern age group and a drop back in grade on his home turf at Riccarton earned him a confidence-boosting victory.
The son of Tavistock finished third in last season’s Listed Champagne Stakes and this term ran fifth in both the G3 War Decree Stakes and Listed Dunedin Guineas so he looked well-placed back in Rating 65 company.
Trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman were understandably bullish about Fireglow’s chances and they weren’t disappointed when the gelding waltzed home after racing in second spot to the turn.
He was purchased out of our 2020 draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale by Pitman senior for $35,000.
Fireglow is a son of Onlyarose, a four-time winner and stakes performer, and her first foal is Snapper who was Group-placed here before relocating to Michael Moroney’s Flemington yard and was a last-start Moonee Valley winner.
Onlyarose, who was served last season by Savabeel, is a half-sister to the G2 Concorde Handicap winner Taimana and their dam Abbaye is a half-sister to Group winners and sires Commands and Danewin.