Fighter Command back in winners circle

The lightly raced but injury prone Fighter Command (Always B Miki) showed the talent he is made of with a lightning burst to win the Swift Signs Pace at Melton on Saturday evening.

In a small but select field Bulletproof Boy was installed a hot favourite on the strength of his previous form including his performance in last week’s Miracle Mile when he galloped out and ran the fastest sectionals of all the runners.

Smoken Ace showed pace early but James Herbertson on Bulletproof Boy seemed intent on going to the lead and he did so with little effort.

Stand in driver Jason Lee secured a one out and one back trail with Fighter Command as the race turned into a tactical spectacle. Oliver Dan who had been out of form of late showed dash early to race outside the leader.

Bulletproof Boy upped the tempo in the final lap but couldn’t shake off Oliver Dan who kept persisting away on the outside. However Fighter Command unleashed a well timed burst and he stormed down the outside to defeat Bulletproof Boy who fought back by two metres with Ghost Of Time in third. Fighter Command looked very impressive running the 1720 journey in 1.51.4.

FIGHTER COMMAND 21 MAR REPLAY

Winning driver Jason Lee reflected after the event.

It’s just a great thrill to get on such a lovely horse. The team behind him. It’s been a great story with speed bumps behind the story with this fella. He always obviously had great ability. Jess (Tubbs) and her team have done a great job with him. Such a great thrill to be able to jump on him tonight and get the job done.

Jess joked beforehand that I’d struggle to see around him. We were humming. He’s a big baby and sort of a bit green but he’s definitely got a motor. When you ask him to go he charges. Jess alluded that they hadn’t put the hood on him much so I didn’t want to pull that up the straight and have him doing something wrong. He probably had a bit left to be honest once I pulled that after the line so that he got used to it he took off again.

Trainer Jess Tubbs has previously indicated that Fighter Command may be set for this years Inter Dominion at Albion Park in July but no doubt she will be careful in mapping out his future program.

It was a good night for Tubbs as her top three year old trotter Howdy Mate (Elite Stride) looked very stylish in his return taking out the IRT Trot and looking to have something in reserve.

He was driven by stable driver James Herbertson who celebrated his 26^th Birthday with another win on Fire Marshall (American Ideal). Herbertson has a remarkable record 0f 1879 wins including 8 Group One events and his winning charges have netted $15.15 million.

For complete Menangle race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink