Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Flying Rumour is a comparatively inexperienced five-year-old, who is getting better with age, according to trainer Mike Reed.
Flying Rumour lined up for his 27TH start when he began from out wide at barrier seven in the 2130m Matt Young Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night and caused a minor upset by finishing strongly to snatch a last-stride victory.
Reed had two other runners in the race, Bee Jays Boy ($6.50) and Our Shelley Beach, the solidly-supported $1.85 favourite from barrier four.
Flying Rumour ($7.40), driven by Kyle Symington, enjoyed a perfect trail in the one-out, one-back position while Our Shelley Beach was setting a solid pace, with the $8.50 chance The Miki Taker applying plenty of pressure from the breeze.
Flying Rumour started a three-wide burst with 250m to travel and he snatched victory by a half-head from The Miki Taker, who had taken the lead 100m from the post. The final quarters were run in 28.1sec. and 28.5sec. and the winner rated 1.55.9.
This followed Flying Rumour’s splendid performance the previous Friday night when he was a $61 outsider who ran home strongly to finish an eye-catching second to Soho Santorini, with Our Shelley Beach finishing in third place.
“Flying Rumour is getting better,” said Reed. “He didn’t relax in his races and always pulled. But now he is starting to learn the caper. Kyle said that he pulled in the preliminary but as soon as he faced the mobile he dropped the bit. So, we will give him a quiet preliminary in future.”
Flying Rumour, bred and owned by Kim Marsh, is by Fly Like An Eagle and is the fourth foal out of Stage Whisper, who managed one placing (at Pinjarra in June 2008) from eight starts. Flying Rumour’s 27 starts have produced eight wins, eight placings and $71,493.
Flying Rumour is closely related to The Die Is Cast, who raced 193 times for 26 wins, 54 placings and $225,250. Flying Rumour is a half-brother to Extreme Dreams (14 wins and $138,340) and All The Whispers (seven wins and $47,751).