21 July 2019
by APG Media

PLANS to send Sahara Sirocco to a paddock have been postponed.

Looking to give the freshman a spell, co-trainers Debbie and Gary Quinlan have elected to extend Sahara Sirocco’s campaign after he gave his rivals windburn in last night’s Australian Pacing Gold Championship at Tabcorp Park Melton.

As such the son of Courage Under Fire will remain in work for next month’s Australasian Breeders’ Crown.

“He was heading to the paddock after this, but that has changed now,” Debbie said. “After speaking to the owners we’ve decided to give him a go at the Breeders’ Crown.

“Whether he is up to the real top ones I don’t know, but even the Consolation is a chance to win some good money.

“That’s been one of the benefits of races like this APG Championship as it spreads the money around and you can still earn good money even if you’re not in the main event.

“They paid $2000 back to last, which like winning a restricted race.”

Given time to settle into his stride, Sahara Sirocco was positioned two-back in the running line from barrier six as Aishabeach led and the short-priced favourite Mirragon worked in the ‘death seat’.

Angled into the clear at the top of the home straight, the colt sprinted to a soft eight-metre win from a gallant Mirragon, with Yourshoutrocky six-and-a-half metres away third.

“We knew he was ready to run a good race, but you never go into a race thinking you can beat the favourite,” Debbie said.

“He had the perfect run and finished it off brilliantly.”

Part-owned by the Quinlans, Sahara Sirocco rated 1:53.8 over 1720 metres to provide reinsman Chris Alford with the second leg of an APG double.

Earlier on the card Alford combined with leading horsewoman Emma Stewart to capture the fillies’ division with Treasure.

Caught three-wide from barrier four, the daughter of Art Major worked to the lead during the middle stages before completing a four-and-a-half metre win from Askmeilltellya, with Vouchers 13 metres away third.

Successful in the Southern Cross Final last May, Treasure rated 1:54.9 to take her record to seven wins and a second from nine starts.

“She will have a few easy days now then we’ll get her ready for the Breeders’ Crown,” Stewart said.