Lovatsville based young gun Fierce Impact (Jpn) produced a tenacious debut winner at Swan Hill on Tuesday in the Seymour Bloodstock colours.
Trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy and ridden by John Allen, three year-old gelding Istriano was up against a hot favourite in the 1200m maiden in Queen Christine and they cleared out from their rivals to fight out a bitter battle.
Istriano stuck to his guns to take the victory by a head.
“I felt like he would win a bit easier, but he got lost when he hit the front and then at the furlong he just baulked at something on the track and lost his action for a stride or two which gave the runner-up a chance to come back at him, but he showed a good fighting battle late when he had to,” said John Allen.
Istriano is a homebred for Seymour Bloodstock and is a half-brother to stakes-winners He’s Xceptional and Xtravagant Star being the sixth winner from six to race for terrific producer She’s a Danica.
A winning Sebring mare, She’s a Danica is a grand-daughter of Champion NZ 2YO Filly Ballroom Babe with the family producing Group winners such as Just Dancing, Tahni Girl, Maschino and Buenos Noches.
Istriano is the fifth lifetime winner for Fierce Impact and two of those winners are stakes horses Yokozuna and Zelia.
A triple G1 winner in Australia by legendary Japanese sire Deep Impact, Fierce Impact stands at a fee of $13,750.
