Fire on Fire

The third of Te Akau's quartet of Riccart0n winners today was talented colt Age of Fire ...

Their third winner on the card for Te Akau trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, Age of Fire (3 c Fastnet Rock - Dragon's Tail, by Galileo) got the job done in the $25,000 Inglewood Stud Guineas Trial (1400m) on Saturday 7 October at Riccarton, further strengthening his case for the upcoming 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) in November.

Owned by the Te Akau 2016 Sydney Breeding Syndicate No. 2, Age of Fire was purchased by David Ellis for $400,000 at the Sydney Easter Yearling Sale, from Erinvale Thoroughbreds, and although unraced as a two-year-old he was reported to have thrived since his debut second on the same course in September.

“As usual, when Daniel Miller labels one, they just win, and he told me on Thursday that this is a Group horse in the making,” Ellis said. “He's a very promising horse and thanks to Dan I scratched him in the Maiden race, which we won with Swing Note, and ran him in the Guineas Trial so it's nice to make the right decision.”

Given a positive ride by Michael McNab, Age of Fire went forward from the outside gate to situate outside the leader and he gained an upper hand inside the final 100m.

On rain-affected footing, downgraded to Slow8, Age of Fire ran the 1400 metres in 1:27.3 and paid $2.10 & $1.20 on the tote.

Ellis said he felt Age of Fire was a genuine 2000 Guineas' hope. The $500,000 Al Basti Equiworld 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m): 11 November at Riccarton.

“I really think he will be a better chaser than a leader and think he will be much better suited on a firm track,” Ellis said.

“Michael (McNab) did a good job holding him together on the ground and the horse dug in to win.

“It's been a brilliant day, as along with getting three winners so far I have just witnessed the Hawkes Bay Guineas and I bought both the father (Burgundy) and mother (Pride and Passion), as yearlings, of the winner Hard Merchandize.

“It's great for Burgundy. He's the leading sire of stakes' winners this season in New Zealand and he's almost got a full book now. It's so exciting to see the way he is heading as a stallion, with some genuine quality progeny winning races for him.”

Co-trainer Jamie Richards said: “Age of Fire is a highly promising colt and we had been very pleased with his work during the week, and Dan Miller has done a great job with him.

“He had a few things against him today: a month between runs, up to 1400 metres from 1000m, and wet ground, and he's managed to overcome all those factors.

“I don't think the footing suited him at all and that he is an on-top-of-the-ground horse. We're certainly looking forward to the next six weeks and building him into the 2000 Guineas.”

Age of Fire is a cracker looking colt by a Champion sire and from a daughter of the Champion stallion Galileo, and has a very strong influence of Northern Dancer in his pedigree.

Age of Fire was strapped by Daniel Miller.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz