Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Talented driver Maddison Brown disregarded instructions from trainer Michael Young when she kept Firerockfireroll back at the tail of the field in the Barbagallo Art Handicap, a 2503m standing-start event at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“Youngy told me to drive him the same as last week (when Firerockfireroll raced at the rear before finishing with a late burst to finish seventh behind Robbie Rocket), but be a bit more positive,” Brown explained.
Firerockfireroll, a $8.90 chance off the 10m mark, was tenth in the field of eleven at the bell when Corey Peterson sent The Stars Above forward, with a three-wide burst, which was followed by $5.50 chance Robbie Rocket, while Brown bided her time at the rear.
Firerockfireroll was last at the 650m before Brown sent him forward. He went five wide on the home turn and was fifth at the 100m before finishing strongly and getting up to win by almost a half-length from Robbie Rocket, who had taken a narrow lead in the final stages.
“I didn’t want to go when Corey went three wide approaching the bell,” said Brown. “I didn’t think it was the right time to go three wide, while I was thinking that Youngy would be cursing me. I decided to stay in, and it paid off.”
Deeorse ($31) set a solid pace, while the $1.55 favourite Aussie Scooter was working in the breeze after moving off the pegs 750m after the start. Aussie Scooter was hampered by a flat off side sulky tyre which was deflated with 1600m to travel, and he did a fine job in finishing fifth.
The Victorian-bred Firerockfireroll has won twice in stands from his first six starts in WA, and Young is planning to nominate the Courage Under Fire five-year-old for further starts in stands.