Courageous Flamberge makes winning return

Honest sprinter Flamberge continues to exceed expectations after posting a first-up Group Three win at Caulfield on Saturday.

Trainer Peter Moody was concerned about Flamberge’s topweight of 58kg in Theshark.com.au Stakes (1100m) but described the sprinter as a little gem after he came away with the victory.

“He puts his all in every race. He doesn’t do a lot for us at home but just saves it for raceday,” Moody said.

“I doubted him under the weight. He’s struggled under those weights previously but he’s just a couragous horse and punches well above his weight.”

Flamberge ($8.50) settled just behind the speed and kicked strongly in the straight to defeat Rifleman ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths with Hard Stride ($9) a half length away third.

Favourite Vain Queen ($3) was the luckless runner, ending up further back than expected before finishing late for fourth.

“She was very unlucky. She should have won,” jockey Craig Williams said.

Moody said he told owner David Moodie after Flamberge won his maiden to get a photo of the win, believing his racetrack potential at that time was not going to reach the level it has.

Flamberge has now won seven of his 18 starts including three Group Three races and was fifth in both the Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket Handicap this year.

Moody will consider options in Melbourne and Sydney for Flamberge’s next start.

“He is terrific down the straight at Flemington but he also loves soft ground so if the weather stays the same in Sydney there’s a couple of sprints there as well,” Moody said.

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