Perth filly On Fire in Victoria

Scenic Lodge sire Universal Ruler has another 3yo filly ready to make a mark in Melbourne following the runaway first-up win by Bam’s On Fire on Thursday.

Bam’s On Fire left Perth as the best maiden in Western Australia late last year and she shed that tag with a five-length victory in the Sam Miranda Wines Plate (1106m) at Benalla.

“That was very impressive – she did it easily,” jockey Harry Coffey said.  “She jumped cleanly, relaxed in front and then quickened like a nice horse.  She’s capable of winning better races than this.”  Coffey got the ride after Linda Meech broke a collarbone in a fall at Geelong on Wednesday.  “Thanks to Linda and Johnny Allen,” he told racing.com.  “Johnny told me to ring up for the ride and I was lucky enough to be the pilot today.  The track was a bit firm so I went easy late in the race.  She had a healthy blow and will keep improving.”

Universal Ruler filly Angelic Ruler had travelled to Melbourne in February for stakes placings in the G2 Angus Armanasco, G2 Kewney and G3 Alexandra Stakes.

Bam’s On Fire is also black-type bound for Seymour Bloodstock’s Darren Thomas and trainers Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.  Thomas and bloodstock agent Mark Pilkington (FBAA) were first alerted to her potential following a couple of eye-catching runs at Ascot this time last year.

She rocketed home for third in the G3 Gimcrack Stakes after missing the kick by six lengths and then came from the tail of a capacity field to finish fourth in the G2 Karrakatta Plate.

Universal Ruler sired Bam’s On Fire from Im Your Fire (Holy Roman Emperor).  She’s the final foal of the NZ-bred mare who is from the immediate family of stakes winning stallions Shovhog and Shovoff.

Bam’s On Fire increased Universal Ruler’s lead on the 2018-19 WA 3YO sires’ premiership to 20 winners of 31 races and $1.55 million.  Next best is Scenic Lodge’s deceased champion Blackfriars ($736,000).