Cigar Flick smokes rivals to land overdue win at Randwick races
Cigar Flick snapped a lengthy winless run with a dominant performance in the ATC Thank You Trainers Handicap (1100m) at Randwick, storming home from the back of the field to post her first victory since June last year at Eagle Farm. Benefiting from a fast tempo, the mare displayed her trademark turn of foot to register a deserved win on the final Saturday Sydney metropolitan meeting of the season.
Trainer Chris Waller praised the mare while acknowledging her inconsistency. “She is going well but she has reached her level so it’s not easy to win,” Waller said. “She needs everything to flow. She needs to come into the race at the right time, the right track conditions and today it was in her favour. She is a lovely horse. Beautiful. She won’t have too much more racing. Her mum is a sister to Fangirl so she is well bred and she will go to stud this year.”
Waller added that Cigar Flick could have another chance to win before retiring. “We will see what else we can find. This type of distance and these type of conditions and she can win another one of them,” he said.
Ridden quietly by Tommy Berry, Cigar Flick ($13) charged home to defeat World Alliance ($11) by 1-1/4 lengths, with Bundeena ($8) finishing a further half-length away in third.
Waller reflected positively on the past season and is already preparing for the next one. “It has been a good season and we’re already warmed up and ready to go for the new season,” he said. “Most of the star horses have had their first trials. Some will trial again on Tuesday, with the biggest names set to have another hit-out two weeks later. We’ll work out the best programs for each of them.”
The race was also notable as James Cummings’ final Sydney starter for Godolphin, with Tarpaulin, the $3.60 betting favourite, weakening to finish second last after leading early. However, Cummings enjoyed success elsewhere with wins by Cinsault and Tong Ho at Kembla Grange, while Kin ran second in the Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield.
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