3 minute read
Trainer Donna Logan was a picture of joy and sheer relief after the unfancied Golden Flame came up trumps on Saturday.
The Mossman six-year-old was snapping a run of outs that had begun for the Kiwi horsewoman since her only 2021 win with Pasir Pinji (another longshot) on January 23.
Logan had headed down to the parade ring another 41 times since, including saddling former top Lee Freedman runners Muraahib and Minister with high hopes, but unfortunately, could not return home with the same smiles.
Until Golden Flame ($76) came along in Saturday's $50,000 Class 4 Division 1 race over 1400m, cruising to the front at the 300m under an inspired ride by John Powell to roll even-money favourite Starlight (Louis-Philippe Beuzelin).
"It was about time. It's been a long dry patch for us," said Logan.
"This horse just likes the 1400m and the rain wasn't going to worry him at all. JP rode him a treat as well.
"I thought he was a bit handier than I would have liked but I guess JP knew what he had underneath him. What a rock star, JP!
"Starlight was the horse to beat, but as a three-year-old against older horses, I thought that would make him vulnerable today."
Michael Clements' two-time winner had no excuse. The Headhunter three-year-old enjoyed a fairly economical run behind the leaders, but just didn't have the same brilliance when Beuzelin asked him for the supreme effort upon straightening.
He did look a little field-shy at the 250m, even copping a slight bump, but a second place one length off Golden Flame was still full of merit. Terrific (Saifudin Ismail) completed the tierce another half-a-length away. The winning time was 1min 23.47secs for the 1400m on the Long Course.
Powell said he was happy where he was in the running, and when he popped the question, the answer was just what he wanted.
"Everything went good. I was happy where I was," said the veteran Australian jockey.
"I wanted to drop back but he jumped good and when I grabbed hold, the others had already gone back.
"When I peeled him out, he never stopped. He was super."
Golden Flame has now taken his record to four wins and 12 placings from 29 starts for prizemoney that is closing in on the $220,000 mark for the Golden Billion Stable.