Stakes goals are on the agenda for in-form mare Fire Up Fifi after her record-breaking Doomben win on Saturday.
Backing up from her runaway win at Eagle Farm last week, Fire Up Fifi, favourite at $1.80, won by a length from Grey Assignment ($4.60) with Lucky Luna ($5)a short-neck away third.
In the process, Fire Up Fifi set a course record for 1600m at Doomben, eclipsing the previous record by 0.01s.
Fire Up Fifi has been in career-best form this campaign. From her past six starts she has recorded five wins and one second placing, convincing trainer Robert Heathcote she can progress to black-type company.
Heathcote planned to spell the mare following her Eagle Farm victory, but the lure of a $32,000 first prizemoney cheque persuaded him to reverse that decision.
“When she pulled up so well after she won last Saturday I looked at the calendar and saw this race which I thought would be perfect for her,” he said.
“After Ryan Hurdle’s claim she only had to carry 51 kilograms and the $32,000 first prizemoney was too attractive to ignore.
“I know I said last week she was going for a spell but I promise you she will definitely be going to the paddock.
“When she comes back next campaign I’ll be looking for some nice black-type races for her to run in.”
Hurdle has ridden Fire Up Fifi at her past three victories and was confident the mare had her rivals covered when she settled comfortably in fourth place.
“Because she was dropping back from 1800 metres, she was a little bit slow to find her feet coming out of the barriers,” he said.
“But once we were into the back straight she was able to slot in one off the fence in a good spot.
“I know she’s got an explosive turn of foot when I can get her into the clear and I think she can go on to bigger things.”
