Farnan produced a two-year-old with potential when the Gary Portelli trained Friendly Fire scored a tenacious win at Randwick.
Having his second start, the gelding had been well supported in the market and enjoyed a good run tracking the leaders under Alysha Collett before maintaining a determined effort to beat Keen To Exceed (Exceedance) by a neck with Uncertain Glory (Zoustar) third.
“A good ride by Alysha to wander out after she stretched out. I think she could feel she was bogging down the inside,” said Portelli.
“The top weight went past us and she just got him on the right leg and got across and kept moving out as she started to clear horses and as he came out he probably hit a bit of better ground.
“He's a really nice horse. I think he's got a good future because he's still not there yet physically…..Probably gets further.”
“The way he galloped on Tuesday. I've never been so confident. I knew I was going to be very strong through the line.,” said Collett afterwards.
Friendly Fire was an $80,000 purchase for Laurel Oak Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Redbank North draft at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
He is the first foal of the stakes placed Rubick mare Amica from a family which includes multiple South African Group I winner Happy Archer.
The win takes Farnan to the top of the Second Season Winners table with 42, and he already sits atop the Second Season Earnings table.
