Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Up-and-coming five-year-old Flying Rumour notched his sixth win from twelve starts in his current campaign when he charged home powerfully to beat Ima Fivestar General and Jaspervellabeach in the $25,000 APG Industry Owned, Not For Profit Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Trainer Mike Reed has been greatly impressed with his recent form, and he said that the WA-bred gelding would continue his blossoming career in this State after offers to sell him to the United States had been rejected.
“We have had a few offers from America, but have decided to keep him here,” said Reed. “Shannon (Suvaljko) said that we would be mad to sell him because he was confident the pacer would perform strongly in Cup-class company.
“That was only his 30TH race start. He has always showed speed, but he wouldn’t relax. But now he is relaxing and showing his true ability. The quicker they go, the better he likes it. This was a step up in class and he handled it okay.”
Flying Rumour, a gelding by Fly Like An Eagle, was bred and is owned by Kim Marsh, and has earned $100,144 from ten wins and nine placings.
He was a $6.60 chance from the No. 5 barrier on Friday night, and Suvaljko was content to keep him in fifth position, three back on the pegs while Jaspervellabeach ($7.50) was setting a scorching pace in the 2130m event.
Suvaljko eased Flying Rumour off the pegs 300m from home and took the gelding five wide on the home turn before he surged into the lead 60m from the post and beat Ima Fivestar General by one and a half lengths, rating a smart 1.54.2, with a fast lead time of 36.2sec. followed by quarters of 28.5sec., 27.8sec., 29sec. and 29.6sec.