Tauranga Te Akau Double - Fierce Flight Flies Home

Following a good preliminary, Fierce Flight (4 g Flying Artie - First Bloom, by Dylan Thomas) proved too strong in the $14,000 Gartshore Construction Rating 60 2100 metres on 19 October at Tauranga.

Ridden in midfield by stable rider Opie Bosson, Fierce Flight was sent into contention 600m out and displayed plenty of resolve to draw out and win by one and a half lengths.

It was the third win on the programme for Bosson, having scored aboard stable-mate Skew Wiff (Savabeel) in the first event and again in the race beforehand on well bred mare Just Dance (Tavistock).

A winner over 1600 metres on Soft5 footing in January at Hastings, Fierce Flight had remained back last start in the Rating 65 2000 metres on 8 October at Matamata, and seemed to appreciate footing that upgraded to Good4 after race one.

While Fierce Flight struck an ideal race to show improvement, he did so in a manner that should see him acquit well up in grade over staying distances.

Paying handsomely, $10.80 & $3.20, on the TAB tote, Fierce Flight ran 2100 metres in a respectable 2:10.6.

“It was a lovely ride by Opie and a good win,” said trainer Mark Walker

“We took the blinkers off him and he just relaxed that much better, and also the drop in grade helped him as well.

“The owners have been patient, but it looks as though he's got staying ability, even though his pedigree may suggest otherwise, and you'd think on that effort that he could go on and win again.”

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $45,000 at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Kilgravin Lodge,  Fierce Flight is owned by Te Akau Out of Bounds Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn-Fenton Ellis MNZM).

“Fierce Flight was a tall, athletic horse, that was always going to appreciate time, being a later foal, and we thought he had the makings of a nice three-year-old miler type before going on to get further,” Ellis said.

“He was a straightforward horse that did everything right in his breeze up, paraded well at the sales complex, and he's now won two of his nine starts.

“Opie had his hand forced to go early at the 600 metres, but to the horse's credit he was equal to the task and it was a pretty good win.

“He's out a mare by a proven dam sire Dylan Thomas (Danehill), and I'm pleased for the owners that he's got another win on the board.”

Fierce Flight was strapped by Kendyll Lee.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz