Hawkesbury filly Fire Lane has claimed the scalps of leading Magic Millions fancies Platinum Jubilee and Empire Of Japan with a last-stride win in the Drinkwise Plate at Randwick to rocket up markets for the Gold Coast feature.
The youngster firmed from $26 to share the second line of betting at $9 for next month’s Magic Millions Classic (1200m) with Saturday’s 1100m race expected to provide a strong form reference for the $2 million showpiece.
The two placegetters ran well, Platinum Jubilee giving a strong kick after leading and Empire Of Japan making a sustained run from back in the field, but it was the Brad Widdup-trained two-year-old who proved superior on the day.
Fire Lane ($9.50) was given a beautiful trail behind the speed by Jay Ford but had to sweat on a run in the straight and when a narrow opening eventually presented, she surged through it, diving at Platinum Jubilee ($2.80) to beat her by a nose, a half-length ahead of Empire Of Japan ($2.50 fav).
The daughter of Hellbent won the Max Lees Classic at Newcastle on debut then finished fourth in the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic, a race that gave her connections a better insight into how to ride her.
“We learned a bit after last start and rode her a bit quieter today behind the speed,” Widdup said.
“It took the whole straight to get out, but she got out when she had to.
“When you get up to the Gold Coast you don’t want to be a sitting duck, so if we can draw a gate up there and get a soft run, she is going to be right in the race.”
Given it was only 10 days since her Wyong run, Widdup had been hedging his bets on whether to send Fire Lane around on Saturday or wait another week.
In the end, it was owner B K Racing & Breeding’s manager Ben Vassallo who convinced him to take her to Randwick.
“He said to run and full credit to him,” Widdup said.
“It worked out well. It gave us a chance to take a sit and it was a great effort.”