WINGROVE Park breeders Joe and Daira Vella marked a third generation of success when Flying Spark claimed the $23,000 Cup Eve Gala @ All Seasons Maiden Plate (1100m) at Bendigo last week.
The Shane Fliedner-trained three-year-old is raced by Wingrove Park and hails from Sparks Fly, who the Vellas raced to stakes success, most notably in winning the 2008 Morphettville Guineas.
Sparks Fly is out of the three-time city winner Dual Spark, whom the Vellas raced early last decade with Flemington trainer Brian Mayfield-Smith.
Flying Spark was sent out $3.70 second favourite at Bendigo, coming off a debut third at the same track as an $81 chance.
Jockey Chris Parnham settled her behind the pace and pounced on the lead 200 metres from home to hold off the challenge of the Team Hawkes-trained favourite Sparta.
“She got there really easily but she probably wanted to pull up a bit late when she was on her own,” Parnham said.
“There’s definitely some improvement there — she’s a nice horse on the way up.”
Flying Spark is the third winner Fliedner has prepared from the Dual Spark line. The stable had considerable success with 2012 Gold Bracelet winner Sparks Alight and half-brother Sparks Burn.
Flying Spark is the first foal from Sparks Fly, who has foals by Medaglia d’Oro and Lonhro on the ground.
Photo courtesy: SLICKPIX ©