Fire ‘N Flames cruises to a dominant win at the Vaal on Thursday (JC Photos).
The Wilgerbosdrift-based stallion Fire Away looks to be one whose progeny are progressive and this stallion is in good form at present.
In the last five meetings in South Africa he has had ten runners for four wins and a Gr 3 third place finish.
Fire Away has not had huge crops but has to date had four stakes winners from his first crop (Egyptian Mau (Gr 3), My Golly Molly (Gr 3), Luna Halo (Listed X 4) and Explosive Bond (Listed)) and from his second crop his son Fire Attack was an impressive winner of the Gr 2 SA Nursery.
Fire Away looks to be one who produces horses with substance and scope, so it is not surprising that three-quarters of the way through his first crop’s three-year-old year the winners are rolling in.
Overall, Fire Away has had 42.3% winners to runners this season.
However, his statistic for three-year-olds is even more impressive with a 51.4% winners to runners record.
Three of his individual stakes winners this season are three-year-olds.
A good example of one of his progeny who have substance and scope is the Kobus Roux-trained Fire ‘N Flames, who was bred by Ascot Stud and is out of a Silvano mare.
This horse was one of Fire Away’s early shining stars, winning by four lengths third time out over 1000m and then finishing a close second in a Listed race over 1000m two runs later.
Fire ‘N Flame’s other win as a juvenile was also over 1000m, beating Pure Predator by 1,10 lengths with Purple Pitcher beaten seven lengths. That pair are today rated 119 and 120 respectively.
A look at the list of horses Fire ‘N Flames has raced against his whole career, including Main Defender, Sandringham Summit and Purple Pitcher, could have seen the shrewd taking advantage of the 10/1 available today in a 1200m Graduation Plate.
The big-actioned horse lobbed along just off the pace under Denis Schwarz before turning it on impressively and winning easing up by 3,25 lengths. He looks to have plenty more in the tank, especially considering the signs are there that Fire Away’s progeny will get better with age.
Meanwhile, Fire Attack looks to have an exciting career ahead of him after running on strongly to win the SA Nursery.
Alec Laird was quick to say after the Nursery he believed the soft going had helped Fire Attack, because he had been looking for further.
The Gr 2 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m on Hollywoodbets Durban July day is his next big target.
Fire Away is a son of War Front, who commands one of the highest stud fees in the world. His fee at present is US$100,000 but in 2018 and 2019 it was US$250,000.
