Fireburn has announced herself as Australia’s champion juvenile, becoming the first filly since Merlene 26 years ago to claim the Golden Slipper – ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes double.
It was another breathtaking performance from the $2.50 favourite, who unleashed a devastating finishing sprint to overhaul She’s Extreme ($4.60) by 1-1/2 lengths with Let’Srollthedice ($10) four lengths away third.
Trainer Gary Portelli said he had rarely arrived at a Group 1 race as confident, knowing it took a special horse to overcome trouble and win a Golden Slipper as Fireburn did.
“What a filly. She just turns up week after week and she raises the bar,” Portelli said.
“She was set a task in the Slipper and she proved herself. A few people were knocking her before the race today thinking it might have been a one-off thing, but they don’t do that in Slippers and still win.
“All week she has been telling me she has been spot-on and ready to go so I just couldn’t wait for the race.
“She’s got a big motor and these horses come around once in a lifetime. We’ve got the Winx Stand and hopefully one day we put the Fireburn stand beside it.”
Fireburn may not be done with yet this autumn, with Portelli keen to press on to the Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in two weeks to give her the chance to become just the second filly since Burst in 1992 to clean sweep Sydney’s juvenile triple crown.
“If she pulls up alright she will go around,” Portelli said.
“I’m not leaving a Group One on the table for a filly. If she was to win the triple crown, she is a special filly and she will be remembered forever.”
Winning jockey Brenton Avdulla has no doubt Fireburn is capable of the feat after joining Merlene as a winner of the Slipper-Sires’ double.
“She deserves to be champion two-year-old,” Avdulla said.
“A bit of history, I don’t think any filly has done it for a long time and there’s no reason why she can’t do the triple crown. If she does that, she’s one of the greatest of all time.”
Fireburn is set to face a rematch with She’s Extreme, who trainer Anthony Cummings thought had the race in the bag when she shot clear.
“She has run really well. I have to find a length and a half in two weeks,” Cummings said.
