Group Two Winner for Sebring
From maiden win to a dominant Group II victory in the MRC Angus Armanasco Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, it was all in a day’s work for Sebring filly Catch a Fire, a $40,000 Magic Millions purchase Roy Higgins and Wylie Dalziel Racing from the draft of Widden Stud.
Prepared by David Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Catch a Fire closed fast for a good third in the rich Magic Millions maiden at the Gold Coast on January 9 won by Wolf Cry and then cast off maiden status at Moonee Valley on February 12.
Stepping up to 1400 metres for this much tougher assignment, she travelled up on the pace for Damian Lane and kicked away to win with authority, her overall record now two wins and three placings from seven starts with prizemoney of $171,260.
“She won her maiden impressively suggesting she was well above average and franked that today,” said Lane.
David Hayes was surrounded by a huge group of ecstatic owners and was clearly delighted by the result.
“She was well in command half way down the straight and I could already see the syndicate celebrating,” he said.
“She’s become a very valuable filly now.”
The 17th stakes-winner for Sebring, Catch a Fire was bred by Henderson Racing and Breeding and is the first foal and second winner for Encosta de Lago mare Polska, a daughter of Group I SAJC Australasian Oaks winner La Volta.
Widden Stud sold the current yearling from Polska, another filly by Sebring, at Magic Millions this year for $100,000 to McEvoy Mitchell Racing.
Catch a Fire’s sire Sebring has a big draft of 19 for the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale starting this Sunday.