Peter Fernie and Lucy Fiore, who proved an irresistible combination in the recently completed Kalgoorlie season, carried that force into black-type company at Ascot on Saturday following the front-running win of Sentimental Hero in the Listed A.J.Scahill Cup (2100m), opening the possibility to an even bigger prize on New Year’s Day.
Sentimental Hero has been a revelation since joining Fernie’s camp in August and after going close without much luck in a couple of his previous races, he found the line in a dominant display when finding the front and leading throughout easily.
Sentimental Hero’s best win in 25 starts and first beyond a mile might be a hard act to follow, but the Al Maher gelding’s Scahill Cup stamina test has opened up conversation that he might be a 2025 Perth Cup fancy on January 1.
It’s a discussion that Fiore didn’t contemplate or think possible when she first linked up with Sentimental Hero at his debut run for Fernie over 1300m at Belmont last August, but in the chase of a second Perth Cup, her opinion has swayed.
“That’s the plan,” Fiore said on Tabradio.
“He didn’t show any signs of weakness on the weekend.
“I’ve felt each time I’ve ridden him he’s got better and better.
“The first run at Belmont he didn’t give me a feel at all.
“But, Pete’s had him for a bit longer and he now feels a different horse.
“Hopefully he keeps progressing for two more runs.”
With renewed optimism, Fiore is daring to dream of a second Perth Cup trophy after guiding home Material Man in 2018, sharing the winning spoils with her father, trainer, Justin Warwick.
After stints with Grant and Alana Williams and Michael Grantham, Sentimental Hero ran second in the Hannans Handicap (1400m) and Luckygray Stakes (1800m) for Fernie.
The top trainer is coming off a record-breaking Kalgoorlie season where he reigned supreme with 74 winners, eclipsing his previous mark of 61 winners in 2018.
Fernie has dominated Kalgoorlie racing for the best part of two decades and next season will strive to win an astonishing 17th trainer’s premiership in 18 years.