I’m A Fireball Sets The Pace And The Terms

I’m A Fireball had to do some early work to get to the front in a Pinnacle Plate over 1450m on the inside track at Turffontein on Saturday, but that was always likely to be the key to the race.

There was plenty of early speed among his rivals and I’m A Fireball had to be purposefully pushed to establish his desired position. Once there, however, he was able to dictate matters in the manner he prefers. He maintained his pace and won by 1.75 lengths from Mastership and Texas Red.

Assistant trainer Johanne Taylor commented: “The goal was to go forward, as I’m A Fireball likes to take the race by the scruff of the neck. They made us work to get there, but Muzi (Yeni) did a good job, they persisted and went on very nicely.”

Muzi said that I’m A Fireball’s intelligence contributed to this victory. “He is smart and clever, quite a streetwise horse. I kept pressing to get him to the front and then he was quite a gentleman. His ears came back and he allowed himself to relax.

“He took a beautiful breather up the hill and into the straight, and when I asked him to get away he gave me a good kick; his response was immediate.”

I’m A Fireball beat last season’s Grand Heritage winner, Mastership, into second and Muzi suggested that the popular Vaal 1475m contest could be a nice target for the four-year-old, who holds the 1450m course record at the country track.

I’m A Fireball races in the Hollywood Racing silks. He is a Klawervlei-bred son of Vercingetorix out of Gibraltar Blue, and is four from 13 with more to come.