One down for Heez On Fire
Four-year-old Heez On Fire landed the first leg of a feature event double when he produced an impressive front running performance to win last night's $50,000 Tabtouch San Simeon Final (2130m) at Gloucester Park.
The Rod Oliver-trained Heez On Fire ($1.50 favourite), driven by Chris Lewis, beat Atlastalone ($18.20) by 3.5m and Atomic Chip ($25.60) finished a half-head back in third place.
Lewis predicts a bright future for Heez On Fire and he looks hard to beat in the $50,000 Binshaw Classic Final (2130m) on February 7. Binshaw heats will be run next Friday.
"I was a little concerned when challenges came near the home turn tonight," Lewis said. "But in the straight, I knew we would hold them.
"Heez On Fire has a bright future, particularly after he has matured more in the next year."
Hobby trainer Oliver, 59, who has three pacers in work at Cardup, paid $15,000 for Heez On Fire as a weanling.
He has won at nine of 20 starts and earned $132,821.
"Heez On Fire's brother El Sudoku revealed promise for me and won," Oliver said. "Injury restricted him to a brief career. I bought Heez On Fire on the strength of what his brother had shown."
Nine-year-old Mysta Magical Mach broke an eight-run losing sequence when an all-the-way winner against fast-class pacers in last night's $21,000 Advance Attack Pace (2536m).
Mysta Magical Mach ($9.10), driven by Morgan Woodley, beat Red Salute ($5.10) by a head and Livingontheinterest ($5.20) was a neck away in third place.
Leda McNally ($3.20 favourite) faded from third position to finish sixth.
Woodley also drove the Tony Svilicich-trained Mysta Magical Mach when he won the 2009 WA Pacing Cup and finished second to Im Themightyquinn in the 2012 Inter Dominion Championship Final at Gloucester Park.
"He surprised a lot of people, including me, with his fast start tonight," Woodley said. "Though unplaced in recent races, he had shown glimpses of a return to form.
"I think tonight's win is a pointer to a lot more success."
The $1,255,801 stake-earner Mysta Magical Mach has won 34 races and run 53 places in a 153-start career.
