Prized Icon Impressive Fernhill Handicap Winner

Classy two-year-old Prized Icon has broken through for a maiden black type win on Day 2 of The Championships at Royal Randwick this morning; mustering a strong turn of foot to take out the Listed Fernhill Handicap (1600m).

Prized Icon drifted in betting markets in the hours leading up to jump this morning but did his chances of success no harm whatsoever when jumping well and taking a position just off the pace of early leader Lasqueti Spirit.

Offered a clear racing line upon arriving at the final straight, jockey Hugh Bowman allowed the colt plenty of time to balance before asking for an extra effort and was rewarded for the decision when Prized Icon comfortably kicked clear; hitting the line ahead of Crown Him.

Bowman delivered a typically polished performance aboard Prized Icon to win the Fernhill Handicap and was quick to lay the praise on James Cummings’ training effort with the horse.

“He’s a horse that we’ve always had a nice opinion of,” Bowman said.

“We don’t think he’s top class and that’s an attribute of James – he hasn’t tried to go over the top picking races with him.

“He’s still learning, although he’s physically there, mentally he’s not and that’s why the blinkers have been on and off.

“I had my own way up the front there, he’s been targeted at the race and it’s a great training performance.”

Cummings was understandably pleased with Prized Icon’s performance to win the Fernhill Handicap, but revealed he is yet to make a decision on the horse’s next course of action.

“Its been very satisfying working with this colt,” Cummings said.

“He’s the first horse I’ve set for a Breeders’ Plate and he was terrific that day but he had 1400m and a mile written all over him from Day 1.

“This is one of the few two-year-old yearlings we identified would be a great two-year-old, and it’s great to kick a goal like that against some of the best two-year-old trainers in the country I’m training alongside.

“I don’t know how far this horse might go next season, but he’s a Fernhill Handicap winner and some very good horses have won it.”

In taking out the 2016 Fernhill Handicap, Prized Icon has now posted one win and five minors through his six career starts.

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.