The Paul Peter-trained Big Burn (Elusive Fort) showed outstanding cruising speed in the Grade 3 Sycamore Sprint over 1160m at Turffontein Standside yesterday and made light of her 61kg mass to win by two lengths under Warren Kennedy. 

 

On this performance in the open handicap for fillies and mares the three-year-old bay filly will start one of the favourites for the Grade 1 wfa SA Fillies Sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on June 4.

 

It was another triumph for her breeders Narrow Creek Stud, whose progeny Red Saxon (Red Ray) won the Grade 1 WSB SA Classic on the day Big Burn’s last intended engagement had to be abandoned due to inclement weather. 

 

Big Burn is owned by the ASSM Racing Syndicate (Nom: Mr A Chadha) and Mr I Levitan.

 

Big Burn was prominent throughout yesterday but did it so effortlessly she had plenty in the tank when asked for her effort. 

 

She showed a fine turn of foot to draw clear. 

 

The Brett Crawford-trained Kissing Point (Global View), who snuck into the handicap carrying 52kg,  ran well on her Highveld debut to finish second.

 

The Sean Tarry-trained Full Velocity (Philanthropist) started favourite and finished a 3,25 length third.

 

The other encouraging point about Big Burn’s win was she had the field strung out like the washing despite it being a handicap. The fourth and fifth placed Mill Queen (Querari) and Bequest (Oratorio) were beaten 7,50 and 8,25 lengths respectively.

 

Earlier, the eight-year-old Stephen Moffatt-trained mare Rouge Allure (Kahal), once known as a handy to front-running type over 1200m to 1400m trips, showed she is best being sat on as she came from last in the Grade 3 Jacaranda Handicap over 1800m to beat her stablemate Opera Glass (Flower Alley) by one length under Dennis Schwarz.

 

The Summerhill Stud-bred mare carried 53kg off her 90 merit rating and now has bold black type, so might soon be retired to Summerhill as she is owned by the Summerhill Syndicate (Nom: Mick Goss) and Albert Rapp.

 

The 9/4 favourite Bold Fortune (Flower Alley) stayed on well from near the back carrying 60.5kg but was beaten two lengths.

 

This was a fine training fear by Moffatt who deserves special mention for recognising the class of Opera Glass. 

 

This four-year-old had good form in lesser handicaps but often took too strong a hold so had the potential to do well at a higher level if things panned out well.

 

She has duly gained a Grade 3 third over 1600m and a Grade 3 second over 1800m in successive starts despite being 6kg and 2kg under sufferance respectively.

 

However, she will now be in for a raise from her 84 merit rating.