Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
South Australian-bred gelding Rolling Fire reappeared after a three-month absence in fine style when he scored an impressive victory in the 2130m SEFS The Asset Finance Specialists Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Trainer Justin Prentice produced the four-year-old in splendid condition and said that, all going well, he would have his next start in the $50,000 Chandon Classic, a Group 3 event over 2130m next Friday week.
“His main aim will be the Golden Nugget at the end of the year,” said Prentice. “I’m very happy with his first-up run. I thought he would go good but in the breeze and after a 27.2sec. quarter down the back I thought that might soften him up.”
Rolling Fire, a gelding by American stallion Roll With Joe, has earned $114,355 from ten wins and three placings from 20 starts, and he looks set for a profitable campaign.
He started from the No. 2 barrier and was the $1.20 favourite on Friday night when he was driven by Emily Suvaljko, who was content to rate him in the breeze after the polemarker Ideal Tomado ($4.80) won the start and after a lead time of 37.2sec. simply ambled through the opening quarters of 32.2sec. and 30.1sec.
“I would’ve much preferred to have been out in front instead of in the breeze,” said Suvaljko. “But he is quite a versatile horse. I tried to come out of the gate (to lead), but Ideal Tomado looked like he wanted to hold up. So, I was happy enough to sit in the breeze in that company.
“He has been working really good, and Justin has put the polish on him and said that he was cherry ripe for tonight’s race. I think he will keep improving. I was a little bit worried when Flying Rumour pulled out and loomed up quickly. But Rolling Fire is a lazy horse, and when you ask him (for an effort) he responds, and he won comfortably, coming home in 54.6sec.”