Lunar Flare breaks through for stakes success
Daughter of Fiorente records career best performance in the RM Ansett Classic
The Grahame Begg stable continued its rich vein of form yesterday with Lunar Flare (Fiorente) winning the RM Ansett Classic (Listed, 2400m) at Mornington.
Under a masterful ride by Michael Dee, the six-year-old mare, who was sent off the $2.60 favourite, came from near the tail of the field to defeat the talented stayer High Emocean (Ocean Park) by three quarters of a length with Adelaide Cup (Gr 2, 3200m) winner Good Idea (So You Think) another length and a quarter away in third.
“When I found myself at the tail of the field I was quite happy because she relaxed really well and when she can do that, she’s got an electric turn of foot,” said the winning jockey.
“Coming down the side they started to spread out a bit and that’s when I decided to tuck in and ride for a little bit of luck.
“Once we got the room in the straight she exploded away and it was a very good win. She probably still would’ve won if I’d circled them and come out wide.”
Begg, who has a knack for getting the best out of mares, now has his sights set on trying to win the Bendigo Cup (Gr 3, 2400m) with the six-time winner on October 27.
“We have only run her at a mile and a half a couple of times and she’s had a second and a win which is great and we might look at a Bendigo Cup now,” he said.
Lunar Flare (6 m ex My Fair Lago by Encosta De Lago) won over 2000 metres at Flemington during the winter and ran second over 2500 metres at her most recent start at headquarters earlier this month.
Yesterday she pleased Begg with her willingness to settle more comfortably than usual in the run.
“She likes to be cuddled a bit in the early part of her races. She can get a bit keen on the bit.
“Last start she over raced and cost herself but she settled really well today.”
This year Lunar Flare has become a much happier and more focused horse and Begg credited strapper and track rider Jack Lake for the pivotal role he’s played in the improvement of her mentality.
“Jack’s done a great job with her back at the stable. She was a bit of a ratbag, a little bit unruly but with a bit of racing and seasoning she’s come to the fore.
“She was a very lowly graded mare when we first received her. She has worked her way up through the grades.”
Bred by Mojo Thoroughbreds, Lunar Flare, who became the eighth individual stakes winner for Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) winner Fiorente (Monsun), has now won six of her 25 starts and amassed $372,255 in prize-money.
A half-sister to the stakes placed pair Sea of Tranquility (Dash For Cash) and Eagle Command (Dash For Cash), as well as Lumar Lights (Bianconi), the dam of Listed winner Honey Steel’s Gold (Keep The Faith), Lunar Flare is the best of nine winners from as many to race out of the unraced Encosta De Lago (Fairy King) mare My Fair Lago.
Further back on the pedigree page are WA stakes winner and Group 1-placed On A Swing (Rory’s Jester) and the dual New Zealand Group 2 winner Sarajay (Danasinga).
“It was great to win a Listed race for the ownership group, John Valmorbida, Jack Bongiorno and Mr Kraps. It’s fantastic, and she deserves it as she has been wonderfully consistent all preparation,” continued Begg.
“There’s no hint of retiring her, there’s a little bit more to come with her yet.”
Fiorente stands at Widden Stud in Victoria for a fee of $11,000 (including GST).