Fire Lighter To Bring The Heat In Winter Cup Clash

PAUL Stuart is hoping that comeback chaser Fire Lighter will ignite in the Winter Cup Final (520m) at Cannington on Saturday. 

Fire Lighter (box 3) will be joined by fellow Stuart-trained Bezzecchi (2) in the trophy decider after the pair fought out a tight contest during the heat stage. 

Bezzecchi came out ahead with a late lunge on the line to capture the race in 29.56 but Stuart was especially pleased with Fire Lighter's effort to finish second.

In what was his third run back from a lengthy break, Fire Lighter found the lead from a wide box draw and was able to hold the strong running Bezzecchi until the final stride.

Prior to getting injured in November, Fire Lighter was racing in great touch and was one of the most exciting dogs in WA after being purchased from NSW. 

FIELDS AND FORM CANNINGTON SATURDAY NIGHT

"It was good to see Bezzecchi win and it was great to see Fire Lighter hit some form," Stuart said. 

"He (Fire Lighter) has had a lot of time off so hopefully he can improve, but I mean he doesn't really have to improve too much to be competitive if he's running in the 29.50s.

"If he can stay sound and keep doing that, that's the sort of dog we've been waiting to see for the past six months. 

"He's a super fast dog but we've never seen it because he's never really had a consistent race prep. He's the fastest dog I've got in the kennel for sheer pace."

Bezzecchi is also a fast dog but like everyone else, Stuart has no idea what to expect from race to race.

As talented as he is, Bezzecchi's performances have fluctuated wildly due to his racing style, which is to drop back and then charge home late. 

"He's a good dog but he just does a lot wrong,” Stuart explained.

"I mean every dog has their quirks and traits and if he did everything perfect he'd be Brett Lee. 

"Unfortunately that's the habit he has and it gets him into trouble more often than not, but when he does get clean running he generally goes close to winning, if not winning. 

"He does the opposite of what you expect him to do every week. So yeah, you just put him in and close your eyes and see what happens basically. 

"You just never have any expectations. I don't anyway." 

Up against the Stuart pair in the final is a quality field which includes WA Derby winner Malaita (1) and 520m track record holder West On Sidney (4).  

West On Sidney came from the rear of the field with a storming run to win his heat in 29.64 and has now saluted in his past three starts.

Stuart is backing Fire Lighter's pace to put himself in a good position. 

"I think he's my best chance. He's got a great draw," Stuart said.

"He's going to get room to move early as long as he can clear the one dog and if he can repeat what he did last week, somewhere in the 29.50s, he going to be pretty hard to run down."