First starter Fame Assured kicked off her harness racing career in the best possible manner at Albion Park today (Tuesday).
The regally bred rookie filly scored a stylish victory in the heat of the Australian Pacing Gold defeating race favourite Bronski MacKenzie and Darby Brights in a time of 1:57.7 for the 1660m event.
Sectionals were covered in 29.7, 31.5, 28.1 and 28.5 seconds.
The remainder of the series will now take place in Melbourne at TABCORP Park, Melton with semi-final scheduled for April 28 with the Gr.1 $322,000 final staged the following week.
Fame Assured is prepared by leading horseman Grant Dixon and the victory provided the stable with victories in both divisions following the success last week with Colt Thirty One for the colts and geldings.
“That was a tidy debut but this filly has continued to improve throughout this campaign, we gained a nice trail but I was very pleased with the way she finished off in good sectionals.” Dixon said.
“I’ll have to sit down and sort out some possibilities in the coming days and speak with the owners.” He added.
The Mach Three – Faith Prevails filly is raced by her breeders, Kevin and Kay Seymour.
Fame Assured ranks as a half-sister to both Feel The Faith (by Mr Feelgood) and Frankie Rocks (by Rock N Roll Heaven).
Feel The Faith is the winner of 16 races and over $148,000 while Frankie Rocks has won 11 races and over $125,000 to date.
The Sydney heats were also staged today at TABCORP Park, Menangle and proving victorious were Fiore Stride and Callmequeenbee.
The Melbourne heats were staged last Thursday and were taken out by Saphirique, Nostra Beach, Molly Kelly and Passions Delight.
The Dixon stable are no strangers to success in the APG Fillies Final following the victory of Rosa Mach back in 2011 at Menangle, the filly was prepared by Grant’s father Bill.
Last season, Queensland filly Park Life proved successful defeating Perfect Sense and Petacular for father/son combination of Wayne and Shane Graham.
Chris Barsby