BLAST FROM THE PAST
2007 SIRES' STAKES 2YO FINAL - Won by Fiery Falcon
 Top trainer Mark Purdon has three of four top qualifiers Ohoka Arizona, Fiery Falcon and Steve McQueen for the $200,000 Harness Jewels 2YO Emerald at Ashburton on Saturday week.
Fiery Falcon, syndicated for $200,000 only hours after being passed for that amount at last year's Ready To Run 2YO Sale, rewarded his connections at Addington last Friday.
The Mach Three gelding had his big payday in the $175,000 Garrards NZ Sires' Stakes Final at Addington.
He was given every chance in the trail by Colin De Filippi behind stablemate Ohoka Arizona (Blair Orange), who led after 600 metres from a wide gate.
Fiery Falcon had the last say along the sprint lane, scoring by half a length in a 1:58.1 rate (1950m), the leaders running their last 800m in 57.6s.
Outsider Reklaw's Boy finished along the markers from four back to snatch third, ahead of another late finisher in Bettor's Strike.
Fiery Falcon, initially bought by West Melton horseman Michael House for $5500 at last year's NZ Premier Yearling Sale, showed extraordinary speed when trialled leading up to the Ready To Run.
House set up a syndicate including Wellington owner Sir Roy McKenzie, and stable clients, Philip and Glenys Kennard, and Clive and Rona McKay, along with House's wife Michele, to race Fiery Falcon.
House suggested the gelding be sent to premier trainer Mark Purdon, whose record with the gelding now stands at six starts for two wins, two seconds and two thirds, for $143,845.
Credit: Harness Racing NZ
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