Gardens Record Within Reach For Like Wildfire

AUSTRALIA'S most exciting young staying prospect Like Wildfire will be eyeing a fifth straight victory to launch his career at The Gardens on Saturday night.

And on the strength of a record first split trial at the track on Tuesday there is every chance Tania Keeping's 600 metre track record (34.14) could well come under threat.

"I gave him a trial from the 600m boxes and pulled him up around the 700m boxes just to give him a hit-out," owner-trainer Michael Ivers said.

FIELDS AND FORM THE GARDENS SATURDAY NIGHT

"He went 9.29 early and the record is 9.33 so he's gone great. But I'll never finish him on the lure like that again. He was just hitting top speed when we slowed him down and he ended up between the lure and carriage.

"We got out of there in one piece thankfully but from now on it'll be into catching pen only with him."

? Like Wildfire by name – like wildfire by nature! ?

The Michael Ivers-trained chaser has ravaged the 603m track record at Gosford tonight, clocking 33.96 in a 14-length romp! ?

Full Results: https://t.co/s1xwNXq1A5

#thedogs #greyhoundracing #trackrecord @GossyGreys pic.twitter.com/IoFIscZ1kd

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) May 23, 2023

Winner at each of his four career starts in sensational style, Like Wildfire goes into his The Gardens assignment off a last start 14-length Gosford blitz over the 600 metres in a track record 33.96.

And given the profound ability and constant improvement the son of Goodesy is displaying, a second track record could well be on the cards given the right conditions on Saturday night.

"You don't go to the races thinking about that but if it happens it'd be nice," Ivers added.

"His trial on Tuesday shows he's right up to the mark; hopefully he makes full use of the draw."

Facing just six opponents, Like Wildfire has drawn box one for the $6,200-to-the-winner event where he'll start an unbackable favourite.

The remarkable uprise of Like Wildfire and his now Victorian based litter brothers Trooper Tears and Trappers Tears continues the profound breeding success Michael Ivers has enjoyed from his central coast property.

Just recently, champion producer Tears Siam, sister to multiple group 1 winner and track record breaker Space Star, became the first dam to produce offspring which have banked more than $3m in prize money.

And now her daughter Freaky Tears, through the deeds of Like Wildfire and siblings, is proving to be equally influential.