It was a thrilling finish to the Group 3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night, but it was James Cummings‘ Hellfest who proved too strong late.
The daughter of Fastnet Rock was sent out as a $21 chance with the online betting sites in the eight-horse field, which featured the likes of Scorched Earth and the unbeaten Snapped, but the two market fancies were no match for Hellfest and South Australian visitor, Champagne Dreams.
Hellfest went into the race on the back of back-to-back wins at provincial level in New South Wales, but that proved to be the right form as she swamped her rivals late to get up in the final stride under Jye McNeil.
WHAT A FINISH! 🔥
Hellfest launches at Champagne Dreams to win the G3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes.@godolphin @JyeMcNeil @TheValley @RacingVictoria pic.twitter.com/lDBGMcaI86
— Racing.com (@Racing) February 25, 2022
“It was a super win, Godolphin have had great success when purchasing from Magic Millions over the last couple of years and winning the Magic Millions (Exhilarates),” said stable representative Sean Keogh post-race.
“James has given her plenty of time to strengthen up as she is a big style of filly.
“Jye gave her a great run and got her in a super sweet spot, he didn’t get down to the rail too early and when the others were petering out she was finishing strongly.”
Hellfest was a $600,000 yearling purchase by Godolphin at the 2020 Magic Millions Yearling Sales on the Gold Coast, while she has now won over $160,000 in stakes after just four starts.
Champagne Dreams was heavily supported to win the race, firming from $16 into $8 before the jump, and punters nearly pulled off the plunge, as she gave a great sight from in front.
Jake Toeroek rated the Wayne Francis & Glen Kent-trained filly perfectly in the lead, as she gave a strong kick at the turn to outsprint the race favourite Scorched Earth, but it wasn’t enough to hang on for the win, despite a game run.
Scorched Earth battled away to run third, while Fortunate Kiss resumed with a nice fourth, closing in late, while the close second favourite, Snapped, tasted her first defeat, beating only one runner home.