Ready to Fire

A model of consistency when campaigned as a two-year-old, Flaming (2 f Bachelor Duke - Flying Firebird, by Stravinsky) is gearing up for spring racing.

“She has been free in her action and working exceptionally well ahead of the trials tomorrow at Te Teko,” said Te Akau assistant trainer Pam Gerard.

“Although she is still a little long in the coat that is to be expected given the chill in the air recently, but it should start to shift in the next few weeks."

Flaming had finished fourth in each of her first three starts, including a very competitive running of the Murdoch Newell Stakes (Listed, 1100m) at Pukekohe, before a patient ride saw her then sprint past rivals to win easing down by three and a half lengths in 1:10.59, last 600m in 36.1, over 1200 metres at Te Rapa.

On the strength of that performance she started second favourite, three weeks later, in the Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) in Feb. At Matamata, but after finishing back in the field she was found to have suffered a stress fracture in the canon bone.

Trainer Jason Bridgman has intimated that Flaming, back in training now for nine weeks, without issue, would have a quiet trial tomorrow and following assessment he could decide on resuming run amongst the various options that present for three-year-old fillies early in the new season.

Flaming, owned by the Te Akau Flaming Syndicate, was good buying when principal David Ellis secured her for $60,000 at the 2011 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of The Oaks Stud.

Her dam, Flying Firebird, had done a fantastic job in producing the Eight Carat (Gr. 2, 1600m) winner Smoulder (Traditionally), who also won the Great Northern Foal Stakes (Listed, 1400m), finished third in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), second in the Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m), third in the Foxbridge Plate (Gr. 3, 1200m) and second in the Seymour Cup (Listed, 1600m).  While the brother to Flaming, Shanghai Bund (Bachelor Duke), showed plenty of ability winning his second start as a two-year-old over 1200 metres before finishing fourth in both the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m).

Based on the deeds of her siblings, there is strong evidence that Flaming could certainly be competitive up to a mile, on reasonable going, this season.