Amelia Fires To Debut Victory
16 February, 2019
Thoroughbred
T
THOROUGHBRED
Amelia’s On Fire has lived up to the impressive trial she produced earlier this month, taking out the TABtouch-Better Your Bet Plate (1000m).
The Sizzling filly won a trial on February 4 by almost 10 lengths and was sent out a $1.65 favourite with TABtouch.
Jockey William Pike was able to land in the perfect spot just behind the leading pair Amarillo Rose and Wicklow Princess.
Pike was able to peel to their outside in the home straight and go on to score by a 1 1/2 lengths to the previously unbeaten Amarillo Rose.
A $100,000 purchase as a weanling by trainer Simon Miller, Amelia’s On Fire will now progress to the Listed Supremacy Stakes (1000m) on March 9 ahead of a tilt at the Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) in April.
It continued a purple patch for Pike when it comes to the two-year-olds, having ridden Amarillo Rose to victory a fortnight ago and Jericho Missile in the Magic Millions last week at Pinjarra.
Pike was reluctant to declare Amelia’s On Fire a better horse than Jericho Missile, but said there wasn’t much between them.
“It’s hard to compare them at the moment,” he said.
“They’re both very talented, but she’s just got pure talent this horse.
“She still felt very green and is just running on raw ability.”
Pike also predicted further improvement from Amelia’s On Fire this campaign.
Elsewhere, Family Discussion broke through for a well-deserved win in the Henryk Malec 60th Birthday Maiden (1200m).
Jockey Chris Parnham rode a patient race and had to wait until the home corner to get clear running along the fence, but once he found it he urged the gelding to victory.
Tim Walker