Fate Awaits Remains Unbeaten

After winning today’s Nutrien Sales Equine Classic, the $250,000 question is; will connections now press on to the Final at Melton on April 20?

That decision must now be decided with a spot in the Final to the first colt/gelding and the first filly past the post.

Fate Awaits gained his spot in the colts and geldings final by winning the race in impressive fashion, while for Seaside Glory, her spot for the fillies final was booked, finishing second to Fate Awaits as the first filly past the post.

Undefeated in three starts, a trip to Melbourne will now be considered over the next few days by Dixon and owners Kevin and Kay Seymour.

“Yeah I think so, we will probably just have a look at the heats today in Sydney and in Melbourne,” Dixon said following the race.

Faced with gate six in the seven-horse field, trainer/driver Grant Dixon allowed Fate Awaits to float off the arm as the mobile pulled clear, giving the colt plenty of time to balance up.

Sending him forward as the field swung out of the home straight on the first occasion, Fate Awaits had worked to the front with 1800 metres left to travel.

Controlling the tempo thereafter, the first two quarters were posted in 30.7 and 30.6.

Slowly building on the tempo with a controlled 29.5 third split, Dixon sat quite but Fate Awaits extended and by the time they swung the home bend, the margin had grown, and the son of Always B Miki pulled clear.

Running the closing split in a sizzling 26.8, the mile rate of 1.56.6 took 0.4 off an age record that has stood for close to 11 years, with that record previously held by Bling It On.

Purchased for $24,000 from last year’s Sydney Nutrien Sale, Fate Awaits has also potentially locked in his slot for the $500,000 Ladbrokes Protostar, the Nation’s richest two-year-old race.

Dixon was buoyed by the victory and how his latest stable star is progressing, with both the Melbourne trip and Protostar exciting targets.

“Yeah it will be good, good for the sport and hopefully going forward it will progress.

“I think he will be up to them.

“He’s a bit of a natural racehorse.” Dixon said

While Fate Awaits looks set to make the trip South, connections of Seaside Glory will weigh up over the next few days if they too venture to Victoria.

Trainer and owner Ron Sallis while happy with the run of his filly, felt there is still a bit to think about.

“I will get home and have a talk to Stacey (wife) and see what we think,” Sallis said.

“We have the Breeders in six weeks which is a target and then I could potentially give her a good break before needing to get her back in for the Triad.

“And then there is the Sunshine Stars, so we have a bit to weigh up.”

The Nutrien Sales Equine Classic Finals will be held at Melton on April 20.