Widdup stable setting Fire Lane for Gold Coast Magic Millions

[Wandering Eyes]

Fire Lane pictured toughing it out to win the Max Lees Classic over 900m at Newcastle on November 12. (Picture: Steve Hart)

Don’t be fooled by Fire Lane’s good looks ahead of the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic on Wednesday.

She also has the ideal temperament to withstand the furnace of big feature races, according to Brad Widdup’s trackwork rider Rosie Jilla.

And given $6.50 winning odds with the bookmakers, a strong performance will prove she is ready for bigger things in the new year, notably the Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic on January 14.

Jilla has been thrilled with Fire Lane’s rapid development ahead of Wednesday’s $200,000 feature over 1100m.

She won her only career start – the Max Lees Classic over 900m on The Hunter Day on November 12 – by a nose.

2022 Max Lees Classic race replay | Fire Lane (1st)

Her $26 futures odds with betting sites for the $2 million feature on the Glitter Strip could also prove to be very good value, according to Jilla.

“She’s on the path to the Magic Millions. She’s a really lovely filly. She’s got a very good attitude for a two-year-old and really wants to do it,” she told HorseBetting.com.au.

“You can see that from her only start and her trials.”

Fire Lane’s two trials saw her finish runner-up over 800m at Warwick Farm on November 4, followed by a win at Canterbury over 896m on November 29.

Jay Ford was on her back for those trials and the Max Lees Classic victory, and he will steer her again on Wednesday.

Widdup’s young runner has relished every challenge that has been put in front of her so far.

“She’s just got the right attitude and really enjoys being a race horse,” Jilla said.

“That’s all you can ask for with those two-year-olds.”

Meanwhile, Jilla discussed three other promising young horses – all four years old – in the Widdup stable.

They are The Poacher, Global Ausbred and Ausbred Flirt.

The Poacher has four wins from seven starts, saluting in his last race over 1200m at Benchmark 78 level at Warwick Farm on October 19.

“The Poacher’s good. He’s come back in good order,” Jilla said.

“He’s still a little bit off trialing. He won’t be trialing for a while.”

The Widdup stable believes he has the ability to compete for a spot in the $500,000 Provincial Championships Final over 1400m at Randwick on April 8.

“We’ll be getting him ready for the autumn,” Jilla said.

“He’s another horse on the rise. One who does a little bit wrong, but hopefully he’ll start to get the hang of it in this prep, and he can come back and do some good things.

“He’ll probably go to the Provincial Championships.”

Global Ausbred’s preparation has been highlighted by consecutive runner-up finishes — one at Benchmark 78 level over 1500m at Rosehill on October 29, the other in a Benchmark 88 over 1850m at Newcastle on November 12.

Ausbred Flirt has won her past two starts at Class 1 (1500m) and Benchmark 68 (1600m) level both at Kembla Grange on November 26 and December 10, respectively.

“Global Ausbred is another really nice horse on the rise. Every race he’s ran this prep has been really consistent,” Jilla said.

“Ausbred Flirt was a really good winner. I really like her. She did everything right and won by six and a half lengths (on November 26).”

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