Goldmine Fire fuelling Nicholls’ breeding dream

By Josh Spasaro

Churchable breeder and trainer Warren Nicholls has been so impressed with the Wow and Sweet Fire All mating which produced his stayer, Goldmine Fire, that he wishes he had a bitch from the family.

But, the experienced conditioner isn’t complaining.

His three-year-old dog has been racing well ahead of the first Dashing Corsair heat at Q1 Lakeside on Thursday night.

The red fawn stayer has won two of his past four starts, with 19 career victories from 62 races for over $151,000 in prizemoney.

The Mark and Melissa Moroney-owned chaser will start from box four in the $12,220 race over 642 metres.

Litter sister Firethorn – with 18 wins from 39 starts and over $142,000 in prizemoney – will jump from box eight for Mark Moroney in the second heat.

Firebird is another impressive bitch and sibling, with 17 victories from 61 starts and over $119,000 in prizemoney for the northern New South Wales trainer, who Nicholls has a friendship with.

“They’re a great litter, with Firebird and Firethorn in it. They’ve earned over $100,000, four of them (including Apache Tiger),” Nicholls said.

“It’s certainly a great litter. I’d love to have a bitch in it to breed with, but they’re all more than handy.

“Firethorn is a freak. But, she’s come back from two injuries. It’s a super litter.”

Nicholls is confident his chaser could do enough to advance to next Thursday night’s Final.

“He’s drawn four. He’s a definite chance in that field in the heat,” he said.

“In the other heats there are some rockets, so we might be struggling the week after. But, I think we’re a chance of getting through.”

Goldmine Fire showed his experience and class to win in different ways on May 7 and April 30, both over 710 metres at Q2 Parklands.

Just three weeks ago, he pounced at the rail on the home turn from two-and-a-half lengths back, going on to salute by a comfortable four lengths.

And, four starts back on April 30, he maintained a good lead from the back straight, before lengthening on the home straight to prevail by three lengths.

Goldmine Fire fought hard for two fourth-placed finishes in his past two starts.

“He does mix it up a bit. He tends to go to the middle of the track, which is probably where he’s got tangled up in his past couple of runs,” Nicholls said.

“But, he’s definitely a 700 metre dog. The 600 metres is too short for him. He’s a handy dog.

“He’s probably five or six lengths off the really good stayers. He’ll be competitive in top grade once the carnival’s over.

“He was half-a-length off his best time when he ran fourth to Tommy Tzouvelis’ dog, Soiree (41.57 seconds on May 14).

“I wasn’t worried about that.  The last run, he got tangled up a bit more and was not far off his best time.”

Nicholls was full of praise when asked about Sweet Fire All as a dam and what she has passed down to her progeny.

“Just strength and chase. It’s something we want in every dog. Unfortunately, a small percentage of them get the ability, want or strength,” he said.

“But, every dog I’ve had from Mark has been great. They chase hard and they’re pretty tough. You’d love to own them. They’ve been strong from day one.”

Nicholls added he has enjoyed working with Moroney in making Goldmine Fire a competitive city-class stayer.

Moroney also owns long-distance chaser Jeremiah Fire, now under Nicholls’ care, who has 19 wins from 81 starts and almost $185,000 in prizemoney. 

“Mark’s been good to us and no problems. He just leaves you alone,” he said.

“Who walks up and gives you a dog who can race in Group races straight away?

“We’ve been very fortunate, especially with Jeremiah. We haven’t had Goldmine Fire for that long. It’s been really good working together.”