She Ice-Bombs Them

Settling last was no obstacle to Icebomb (4 m Darci Brahma - Snowdonia, by Peintre Celebre), as she blew past her rivals in the straight and simply proved too good in the $22,500 Breed with Cambridge Stud Rating 65 1200 metres on 5 October at Tauranga.

Stakes' placed as a two-year-old in the Phoenix Park Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m) and regarded as one of the most unlucky Maidens in the country until winning here in April, when coming from 12^th over 1300 metres, Icebomb possesses the best attribute in thoroughbred racing - acceleration.

“There was a little bit of a query on the firm track, with them running along, and the rail out, so dropping back probably wasn't ideal,” said winning jockey Matt Cameron. “Danielle (Johnson) took me into the race and once she got out I gave her a couple with the stick and she cleared them nicely.

“The track is getting firmer as the day goes on, a fair bit of dust coming back, and some of these horses are going to feel it tomorrow, those that aren't used to it.”

A well supported commodity in betting ($2.30 & $1.30 NZ TAB tote), Icebomb ran the 1200 metres in 1:10.3 and last 600m in 33.5.

Ice bomb was purchased privately by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $50,000, from Jamieson Park, and incredibly consistent she has now registered two wins, six seconds, third, and fourth, from 10 starts for the Te Akau Icebomb Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

“It was a really good, intelligent ride by Matt (Cameron),” Ellis said. “He saved ground coming around the turn, found the gap and she was just too good.

“She's another Darci Brahma that wins for the stable and continues an amazing start that Jamie (Richards) has had to his training career. That was his 19^th win at an unbelievable strike rate of 3.1. We've got some great owners in her and they've been patient. She hasn't been the soundest filly to train. Jamie and his team have done a fantastic job and I think she will continue to get better.

“I bought the filly from James Chapman at Jamieson Park. He's doing a terrific job breeding thoroughbreds and his manager, Sam Munro, is one of the best in the business.”

Icebomb appears capable of measuring up in the next grade, although trainer Jamie Richards is mindful of her racing on firm tracks and would like to see some give.

“I was a little bit worried about how firm this track is, but we'll deal with that tomorrow,” Richards said. “Matt (Cameron) said he would be patient and it was a lovely ride.

“Any rain in the next four to six weeks would be a help for her and I'm sure she can work her way through the grades. Big thank you to the owners, she's had a few niggling issues and they've been patient and they've been rewarded.”

Icebomb was strapped by Nadayna Johnson.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz