Dixons crowning night taking out both APG Finals at Albion Park

Outstanding colt Fire And Passion (Always B Miki) enhanced his Protostar credentials with a faultless all the way performance to take out the $100,000 APG Brisbane Sale Graduates Final for two year old colts and geldings at Albion Park on Saturday evening.

A short priced favourite due to his strong Heat win at Albion Park just over a week ago, Fire And Passion was wide early but driver Grant Dixon had little trouble securing the lead from early leader Iam Hugo who then settled behind the leader.

The only other runner Mister Americano didn’t have a great deal of luck being caught outside the leader and there was little that driver Adam Sanderson could do about it.

New South Wales visitor Red Bull Bernie the other Heat winner was back near the rear of the field and commenced a run out wide in the back straight.

But by this stage the bird had literally flown and Fire And Passion simply scooted clear and was just over 27 metres in front of Mister Americano with Red Bull Bernie a neck away third.

FIRE AND PASSION JUN 21 REPLAY 

Fire And Passion has only been beaten once and that was by his stablemate Fight For Victory and he must be considered for the $500,000 Group 1 Protostar at Albion Park on 5 July.

Dixon completed the APG double when his filly Amylee (American Ideal) who had been a model of consistency finished too quickly to take out the $100,000 Final for two year old fillies.

AMYLEE JUN 21 REPLAY

The race fell into her lap when when Miarka and Ourbeachgirlmaywyn set a hectic pace in the lead. Notions was placed right behind the pair and they split the field up. Amylee was leading up the rest of the pack but as the field bunched up Dixon obtained the one out and one back trail.

Despite having had a torrid run in the lead Ourbeachgirlmaywyn kicked clear and looked to have a decent enough break. However Amylee who was just poised for the one run finished too well to prevail by a head from a desperately unlucky Ourbeachgirlmaywyn with Notions a distant third.

Favourite Sweet Nellie Joy galloped at the start and lost all chance thereafter.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink