Never further back than second in his last six starts, six-year-old gelding Fiery Heights earned a maiden stakes win when leading all the way in Saturday's Listed Falvelon Quality (1100m) at Doomben.
A lucky pick-up ride for James Orman, Fiery Heights hung on grimly in a driving finish to defeat the fast-finishing Irish Constabulary (Flying Spur) by a short-half-head with Isaurian (Exceed And Excel) three-quarter of a length back in third. (photo Racing Queensland)
The Barry Lockwood-trained son of Hidden Dragon advances his record to 9 wins and 12 seconds from 33 starts with earnings of $450,550.
"I would have been dirty if I'd been beaten riding a half (kilo) over," Orman said.
I came here with about 700 grams to lose but lucky they let me ride him a half over."
While not a Magic Millions graduate, Fiery Heights won a wildcard entry to the $1 million Magic Millions Snippets Hcp (1200m) on January 12.
"He's a Magic Millions horse after today. He used to be a bit each way first up but after he won last prep he seems to have shaken that habit and we'll be back with him in two weeks for the Snippets." Lockwood said
A homebred for the Sklenars family, Fiery Heights is the best of four winners from as many starters for the winning Monashee Mountain (USA) mare Mountain Of Love.
Fiery Heights becomes the seventh stakes-winner for Lyndhurst Farm's Danehill stallion Hidden Dragon.
