RED-HOT PAIR IN VOLCANIC FORM

Fitzsimmons-Curatolo treble includes rising star Ravalli and M’sia one-way ticket holder

- Michael Lee

The wry smile on trainer Tim Fitzsimmons' face at the conclusion of the $20,000 Open Maiden (1,000m) on July 13 said it all.

The Australian does prepare the winner, Volcanic, but while any win is always greeted as another notch on the belt, some come with mixed feelings at times.

In this case, Volcanic's record in 13 starts had been so dismal that connections had all but written him off as a lost cause.

The Buffalo Stable's patience had been wearing thin, the Singapore closure on Oct 5 making it even harder to find any good reason not to despatch him off to Malaysia.

They did, but as is often the case, horses seem to have a sixth sense when their one-way ticket is booked.

Volcanic's will to win was suddenly awakened when he swung into the home straight under Ryan Curatolo with only Good Chilli (Bernardo Pinheiro) to mow down.

Normally, the Super One fouryear-old would not have found a response when popped the question at that stage.

But he was up to the task this time, wearing Good Chilli down to stick his neck in front on the line.