Fiorente (Ire) can land a posthumous victory in the 2024 Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) with Lynward Park-bred stayer Fear The Wind.
The 2013 Melbourne Cup winner was aged 15 when he died at Widden Victoria on May 30. He’s the sire of 8 Stakes winners including Lynward Park’s LR Belmont Classic winner Baronova who is bred on the same Fiorente – Danehill cross as Fear The Wind.
Pearce Racing will set Fear The Wind (Photo / Western Racepix) for the $1 million Perth Cup on New Year’s Day after he nailed a picket-fence in the $100,000 Rogan Josh Hcp (2200m) at Belmont on Saturday.
With Willie Pike aboard, he defied the late challenges of Sluice Box (My Admiration) and his Lynward Park-bred stablemate Queen Alina (Mahuta).
“He was spot-on today and he’s done an amazing job to win five in a row,” co-trainer Ben Pearce said. “He had to chase the tearaway leader (Holy Enchantment) and just managed to cling on. He showed us a lot of ability on the way through and now he’s rewarding the owners.”
Fear The Wind has earned $280,000 for a syndicate that includes Lynward Park’s Troy and Chad van Heemst who stayed in after selling him to Jason Ferguson for $50,000 at the 2019 Perth Magic Millions.
Troy van Heemst told The West Australian Fear The Wind had to overcome several setbacks before hitting career-best form. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a five year-old improve at every run like he has this campaign. He punctured his butt right into his hamstring getting off the float one day and he also had throat surgery early doors.”
Fear The Wind is the final foal of Windana and among her other winners is the dam of Group 1 NZ Levin Classic winner Southern Lord. The Danehill mare had been purchased from Collingrove Stud by agent John Chalmers on behalf of Lynward Park for $72,500 at the 2005 Magic Millions National Sale.
Windana is also the dam of Simplyirresistible (Royal Academy) who has yearling filly and a weanling colt from the first two crops of Bondi (Snitzel) who stands at Lynward Park for a $6,600 (inc GST) service fee.
