Wilgerbosdrift’s exciting young stallion Fire Away came up with his ninth first-crop winner on Tuesday when his two-year-old daughter Duenna romped home to a facile victory at Turffontein. Second last time out, the Stuart Pettigrew-trained Duenna turned Tuesday’s www.soccer6.co.za Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) (1200m) into a one-horse race. Under Gavin Lerena, Duenna, who started a well-backed tote favourite, proved far too strong for her rivals and pulled clear to win as she liked by six and a quarter lengths.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Duenna had finished third on debut before finishing fifth the next time out.
Out of the Elusive Quality mare Public Protector, Duenna looks like a filly to follow judging by the ease of her maiden win.
Fire Away has made a very pleasing start with his first runners this season headed by Listed East Cape Fillies Nursery/Dahlia Plate/Lady’s Slipper Stakes victress Luna Halo, Listed Storm Bird Stakes runner-up Fire ‘N Flames and exciting filly Egyptian Mau. The latter caught the eye when she ran third in Saturday’s G2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper, with Egyptian Mau having finished fourth in the G1 Gold Medallion previously.
Fire Away’s G1 Belmont Derby-winning half-brother Mr Speaker has also been in good form of late, with Mr Speaker the sire of eye-catching recent G2 John A Nerud Stakes winner Three Technique.
Currently South Africa’s third leading First Season Sire of 2022-2023, Fire Away has some very well-bred two-year-olds on offer at the 2023 August Two Year Old Sale. Watch this space!