By Duane Ranger
Fame Assured’s 8.6 metre win in Saturday night’s Open Pace at Albion Park will have to be repeated a couple more times if the talented mare is going to line up in the 2019 Inter Dominion Championship in Auckland starting late next month.
That’s the opinion of her owner and breeder, Kevin Seymour, after the 5yo daughter of Mach Three was left alone in front, and then easily triumphed in an incident-marred Remembering Henry Luca 2,138m Pace.
“As of last Wednesday’s rankings she was seeded 41st, so she’s going to have to improve vastly in the next few weeks if she’s going to make the cut-off point.
“I thought she was a ‘good thing’ once she got to the front in Saturday night’s race, but she sort of won by default didn’t she?” Seymour said.
The stewards report into the $14,700 event centred around Glenferrie Hood from the 1,800 to the 1,500 metre mark.
After speaking to Glenferrie Hood’s driver, Peter McMullen, the stewards were told that the gelding’s off-side rein became detached from the bit when McMullen attempted to restrain the horse racing into the first turn.
Glenferrie Hood then progressed forward without control, checking a number runners, and then he locked wheels with the sulky of The Bus, which stopped that pacer’s progression.
The stewards then discovered that Our Hi Jinx was severely checked and broke near the 1800m and took no competitive part thereafter. As was the case with Whiskey Blaze (Hayden Barnes) and Eleniark.
As a result, the Grant Dixon trained and driven Fame Assured notched up her 18th win in 35 starts. Hughie Green was second, and Chantrey finished third in the eight-horse field. There was 278 metres back to Eleniark in fourth.
Fame Assured has now banked $160,361. She stopped the clock in 2:35.1 (mile rate 1:56.8). Her sectionals were 31 even, 31.9, 30.2, and a slashing 26.2.
Seymour said Fame Assured was now likely to contest the Albion Park Cups races over the Christmas Carnival.
“That’s probably the likely scenario for Tennyson Bromac as well. He’s ranked 43 for the Inter Doms, and will have to improve vastly after copping no luck today.
“We will sit down with Grant (Dixon) and discuss his future when he returns from Victoria tomorrow (Monday),” Seymour said.
Tennyson Bromac sat parked in Sunday’s Group Three $35,000 Maryborough Gold Cup and faded to an 18.2 metre seventh.
“Grant went and sat outside the leader hoping he would get cover, but sadly nothing came around. I was not disappointed with the run considering the race was run in close to race record time.
“He was going to go with Colt Thirty One to Auckland, but we are not sure now. The local Cups is probably now the likely scenario,” Seymour said.
Meanwhile, the Dixon trained and driven Colt Thirty One, was still ranked number two behind Spankem when the second of rankings were released last Wednesday.
Seymour was pleased with Colt Thirty One’s 2.6 metre second behind Bling It On in the Group One $250,000 Victoria Cup at Tabcorp Park Melton on October 12.
“I was delighted with the run. He was a ‘sitting duck’ for Luke’s (McCarthy) good horse, who pounced late. At this stage the Inter Dominions is still on, but we will finalise that after his next couple of runs down south,” Seymour said.
The talented Mach Three entire will line up in the Swan Hill Cup at next Friday night, and then eight days later he will compete in the Group Two $75,000 4&5yo Championship at Tabcorp Park Melton.
Colt Thirty One took his stake earnings past $750,000 with his Victoria Cup placing. He has now raced 48 times for 32 wins and 11 placings.
“It is his time in open company now, and all going well I can see him racing against Australasia’s best free-for-allers for the next three or four seasons before he goes to stud,” Seymour said.
“He’s only just turned five, so it’s all ahead of him. I know he’s certainly good enough,” he added.