Fangles toughs it out for 11th career win

FANGLES notched the 11th win of his career when he held off Lucky Luna in a nail-biting finish to the final race at the Gold Coast this afternoon.
The Stephen Jones-trained seven-year-old led from the start in the Corestaff Construction Benchmark 85 Hcp (1200m) and kept fighting to the line for 3kg-claiming apprentice Allanah Badger.
“He seems to have found a new lease on life this preparation and is racing really well,’’ said Jones.
“He found plenty when challenged. To win 11 races is a great effort by this horse.’’
Fangles, a son of Falvelon out of the mare Speranto, has raced 63 times for 11 wins and 13 minor placings. Today’s win pushed his career earnings just past $283,000. Fangles is raced by Ray Collins, Terry Collins and Wayne Burrows.
“We bred him,’’ said Ray Collins. “My brother also bred his mother Speranto. He’s been a good horse to us and hopefully there are a few more to come.’’
Fangles’ 11 wins have been shared between the Gold Coast (four wins), Doomben (five wins) and Ipswich (two wins).
He has won three races alone this campaign – one at Doomben and two at the Gold Coast.
“He’s going so well at the moment I’m tempted to nominate for the Goldmarket here in a few weeks’ time,’’ said Jones. “It’s something we might have a serious think about.’’
The $100,000 Carlton Draught Goldmarket Hcp at the Gold Coast on January 2 is run over 1300m. Fangles has won several races over 1350m.
Fangles was a drifter in betting today, opening at $7 before easing out to $12. The best-backed runner in the race was the Gillian Heinrich-trained Audacious Spirit, who firmed from $4.20 to run the $2.60 favourite.
Audacious Spirit was poised to challenge in the straight, but Fangles fought him off and then just managed to hold off the late burst of Lucky Luna ($12) by a nose. Audacious Sprit was a half-length away in third.
Story: Neil Archer
Photo: Trackside Photography Pty Ltd