Sixinch Heels is on a hat-trick this prep and she’s also on the way to higher grades for her Forest View Farm owner-breeders Ben and Jo Duncan.
The Nicconi filly was a TBWA Winner of the Week first-up earlier this month in a Pinjarra 3yo maiden for trainer Simon Miller and there was plenty to like about her dazzling victory in the Unite Resourcing Hcp (1200m) at Ascot on Wednesday.
“She’s only lightly-conditioned but has the right attitude and loves going to the races,” stable rep Kelly Kinninmont said after Lucy Fiore dodged trouble to win running away from Wembanyama (Dundeel) and Flagship (War Chant).
Sixinch Heels is the latest winner for the red-hot Miller-Fiore combination following Amaroo Star (Sessions) earlier on Wednesday and Generosity (Divine Prophet) in the LR Sheila Gwynne Classic (1400m) last Saturday.
“Lucy didn’t panic when she was awkwardly-placed approaching the home turn,” Kinninmont continued. “She went back to the cutaway and the filly’s quick turn of foot saw them really hit the line. Lucy’s feedback is really good and we take a lot out of what she says post-race.”
Forest View Farm retained Sixinch Heels after bidding failed to reach a $70,000 reserve at the 2023 Perth Magic Millions. She showed potential during a short three-start spring campaign and has already banked over $57,000 with Westspeed Bonuses kicking in $18,200.
“We weren’t going anywhere at the 600m,” Fiore reported. “The horses in front weren’t taking us into the race and no way I could go wider. I angled back inside and she picked up straight away. She improved off that maiden win and can improve again into a Saturday race.”
Her dam Atame (Zoustar) was a $45,000 purchase for Forest View Farm at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast when she was carrying Sixinch Heels. Her second foal is a 2yo Hanseatic filly that’s showing promise for Lindsey Smith and her yearling is a filly by Darling View sire Splintex that’s been retained.
“We’ve bred five foals by Splintex and we’re very happy with all of them!” Ben Duncan reported on Thursday. “Atame has a PPT to Toronado (Ire) and she’s currently boarding at Blue Gum Farm.”
There’s more encouraging news out of Victoria for Forest View-bred Champion WA 2YO Super Smink (Super One). She won the G3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) and was G1-placed in the Railway Stakes (1600m) during the Ascot carnival in November but didn’t fire in two Group 1 sprints at Caulfield in February
Super Smink is currently spelling at Lindsay Park in the centre of the State’s horse country south of Euroa. “She’s in the paddock for an extended spell,” Lindsay Park Racing Manager Dom Rhoden said this week. “The boys are looking forward to bringing her back for a late winter, early spring campaign.”