Fearless Knight succeeded in his quest to end his status as a maiden with a stylish victory at Sunshine Coast on Friday (3rd March).
The Phoenix Thoroughbreds and TFI co-owned runner had gone close in a Group One as a colt and was making his first start as a gelding. The ultimate “gear change” seemed to work the oracle as he won with plenty to spare for trainer Kacy Fogden.
Forced three-wide throughout the 1400m contest, he always travelled well and was in cruise control just behind the leaders entering the straight. Once jockey Jim Byrne asked the son of Lonhro to go and win his race, he picked up well and one with plenty in hand leading the winning rider to suggest he’ll be even better over a mile.
“He gave me a good feel and saw plenty of the track,” Byrne told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-race. “I thought I could squeeze myself in there (to the rail) as you wouldn’t expect to be deep from barrier five, but he bounced well and put himself in the race a bit more than I anticipated. He was too good.”
FEARLESS KNIGHT (@KCFogdenRacing /@JimByrn87687646) stylishly pulls away from the field @SCTurfClub to shed his maiden's tag. pic.twitter.com/wZpaclCLwk
— Phoenix Thoroughbred (@PhoenixThoroug1) March 3, 2023