With a just quarter of a length separating the first four across the line, Gavin Bedggood’s 2yo Cool Aza Beel (NZ) filly Burning Heartz came out on top, breaking her maiden over 1300m on the Sandown Lakeside circuit on Wednesday.
Having had three jump outs in preparation for her debut including a second to last Saturday’s impressive debut winner Lucky Brook, Burning Heartz was well supported in the betting to jump away the equal second favourite behind Patick Payne’s Signed With A Kiss.
Jockey Joe Bowditch took the filly forward from barrier three where she settled in third with the Ken and Kasey Keys trained Tagabella eventually working to the lead.
With the favourite pulling herself along the inside to take the lead near the turn, jockey Billy Eagan took the field into the home straight, kicking a few lengths clear.
As the 200m mark was reached the favourite appeared to have had enough as those sitting behind her begun to reel her in with ease.
Burning Heartz was making her claim down the outside while Delahra was getting up along the inside with this pair fighting all the way to the line as Tagabella was still battling while Anglais was making a concerted effort to come from back in the back.
When the line was reached, Burning Heartz held a narrow winning margin over Delahra, Tagabella and Anglais with less than a quarter of a length separating the first four.
Trainer Gavin Bedggood was on course to discuss the debut victory of his filly.
“After doing the form and watching the horses that she's trailled up against run over the last week, I sort of came in quietly confident,” said Bedggood post race.
“Joe's done a lot of work on her at home and trawled her up, so it was great to be able to put Jo on board and come in today and get a win.
“I bought her in Adelaide last year for $26,000 and probably still had half of her available up until about a fortnight ago. I've sold the rest of her over the last couple of weeks since she's trialled up and sort of gave a couple of people a ring and told them that she went all right.
When asked how far she might get, the trainer was confident she would race over further.
“I would say that further is going to be no issue in time. She's got a great constitution. I've never seen her leave any feed and she just wants to work with you. She dropped her head nicely and ran there. The world's her oyster.”
Purchased for $26,000 from the draft of Riverina Downs at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale by her trainer and Suman Hedge Bloodstock, Burning Heartz is the first winner out of the Dane Shadow mare Heartz Ablaze.
Bred by Mr M. Cesnik, Burning Heartz is the final foal out of her dam who unfortunately passed away in October last year.
From the second crop of Savabeel’s G1 Auckland Diamond Stakes winner Cool Aza Beel (NZ), the Newhaven Park Stud stallion will stand the coming season at a fee of $22,000 (inc. GST) off the back of his first crop son Cool Archie winning the G1 JJ Atkins Stakes, who will also stand at the Boorowa property at an introductory fee of $16,500 (inc. GST).
