Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
“I was pretty happy when Mike (Reed) asked me to drive Flying Rumour in the Perthnow Pace because the horse was in such good form,” said Ryan Warwick after guiding the four-year-old to an easy win in the 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“Once Lucca was scratched, Flying Rumour looked the leader. He was first out from barrier two and didn’t give me any concerns.”
Flying Rumour, the $1.70 favourite after Bill Hayes was forced to scratch Lucca because the gelding was suffering from lacerations to his off hind leg, was able to stroll through the lead time in 38.2sec. before increasing the tempo with quarters of 30.5sec. and 29.2sec. which were followed by final 400m sections of 28.1sec. and 28.4sec.
Flying Rumour rated 1.56.6 in beating the $4.60 third fancy Loucid Dreams by two and a half lengths. “He has good gate speed, which is a big advantage,” said trainer Reed.
Flying Rumour, bred and owned by Kim Marsh, is by Fly Like An Eagle and is the fifth foal out of Stage Whisper, whose first foal Extreme Dreams earned $138,340 from 14 wins and 18 placings from 84 starts. Flyting Rumour looks set to improve considerably on his record of 22 starts for seven wins, six placings and $53,265.