Even-money favourite Chariots Of Fire turned in a resilient performance to get the job done in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1200m on Sunday.
Taken on for most of the six-furlong journey after he pinged to the front, Chariots Of Fire rounded the home turn in a fairly bunched-up field, but started to race clear the moment jockey Vlad Duric pulled the stick.
He was inclined to hang out under pressure at the 200m, but Duric did his best to keep him on a straight course while extracting the best out of the three-year-old. The well-tried Draco (Barend Vorster) was running on nicely on the outside while a couple of lengths astern, One Kinabalu was sweating on a run which in the end never eventuated, leaving jockey John Powell with no other option but to duck back to the inside.
But it proved too little too late. Chariots Of Fire never let up to score by half-a-length from Draco with the luckless One Kinabalu having to settle for third place another length away. The winning time was 1min 11.19secs for the 1200m on the Short Course.
The second consecutive progeny of leading New Zealand sire Showcasing to score after Brilliant One in the opener, Chariots Of Fire, who carried the silks of leading New Zealand outfit Go Racing, impressed trainer Bruce Marsh with his winning attitude despite his relative inexperience.
“That was a very gutsy run. He had no peace in front but he kept on very well,” said the Kiwi handler.
“He’s still doing a few things wrong. I don’t think he liked the Polytrack at his first couple of runs.
“But I think he’s going in the right direction. I will speak with Vlad to see if he will be better over 1400m.”
From the way the Australian jockey rated the colt and his future endeavours, the answer was a resounding yes.
“It was a good gallant effort from a very progressive type of horse,” he said.
“Every time Bruce puts a saddle on a horse, he is going to improve further. This horse will get 1400m to 1600m on his ears.”
