Burn One Down became the fastest maiden winner ever at Sandown Park yesterday, winning by more than 18 lengths in a stunning 29.156 seconds.
Burn One Down is a litter brother to recent group 2 Launching Pad winner Buck Forty, and despite being well beaten in each of his first three career starts was sent out a $1.70 favourite for the novice event. He began cleanly from box 3 to lead early before City Slang railed beneath him at the first turn. Drawing level again at the 715m boxes, Burn One Down then unleashed one of the most impressive galloping exhibitions seen at the View Road circuit.
The time was fastest ever by a maiden and the fourth fastest time ever run at a Sunday meeting (and 29th fastest overall). His winning margin was the second biggest recorded by a sprinter at Sandown Park behind former track record holder Bekim Bale’s 19.58 length win on debut. Bekim Bale ran 29.37 on that day.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Burn One Down’s performance was his ‘run home’ time. The time from the second split to the winning post, was 10.196 – to put the time into perspective – Burn One Down went five lengths faster than what Unlawful Entry ran when setting a new track record in March. Remarkably, Burn One Down established the winning margin of 18.54 lengths (or 1.298 seconds!) over the final 272 meters of the race.
“We’ve only had him a few weeks and Dave and Danielle (Pringle, the owners and breeder) don’t send down if they don’t think they’re up to the standard down here,” said Seona Thompson, speaking on behalf of her husband Jason.
It was an extraordinary turn around in the 26 month year old’s form. Burn One Down’s racing career got off to an inauspicious start in October last year when he ran 5th, beaten by more than 12 lengths over 301m at Coonamble. He was beaten a similar margin a month later over 535m at Richmond before spending the next five months on the sidelines with a hock injury.
Fully recovered, Burn One Down was sent south and made his Victorian debut two weeks after arriving at the Thompson’s Pearcedale kennels. Sent to the boxes the $1.80 favourite, Burn One Down was never a factor, running sixth. After three starts, Burn One Down had been beaten by a cumulative 44 lengths.
“I don’t know much about what he did before he arrived, but he arrived in great condition and he’s a beautiful dog as all the dogs the Pringles send down are,” continued Thompson.
“He trialled really well just after he arrived, but he got the muzzle caught in his mouth in his first start for us. He got a clear run today and it was great to see him show what he can do.”
His winning time catapulted Burn One Down into fifth place in the order of entry for the Bill Collins Speed Star, all but securing his berth in the match race series. His litter mate Buck Forty currently sits sixth, and should both qualify will be aimed for the rich sprinting series. However their phenomenal run home times has led to speculation about the possibility of targeting the world’s richest staying event, the $250,000 RSN927 Sandown Cup on Thursday 26 May.
Earlier in the day, group 1 winning stayer No Donuts had an exhibition trial in an attempt to qualify for the Bill Collins Speed Star, however could only run 29.47.
The Bill Collins Speed Star will be run on Thursday 5 May. Click here for the current leader board.
PAW NOTE: While a turn around in form of this nature is unusual, it’s not unprecedented. Fernando Bale – arguably the greatest sprinter of modern times – was beaten by a combined 27.5 lengths at his first two starts before going on to win eight group 1 titles
Burn One Down breaks his maiden status in emphatic fashion
