FLYING FIGHTER LANDS FIRST PUNCH

Luck had been deserting trainer Burridge’s 3YO, but no more after Kranji breakthrough

- Michael Lee

After knocking on the door for a while, Flying Fighter finally kicked it wide open with a first win at his 11th Kranji start on June 16.

For a fleeting moment at the business end of the $20,000 Open Maiden (1,600m), the Steven Burridge-trained galloper did give the impression he would have to live to fight another day.

Again, the Showtime threeyear-old fell foul to the same issue that cost him his previous races greenness.

As he came popping off his box seat at the home turn, the race looked all his for the taking, but he thought his job was done.

He started to loaf around.

The fast-closing Spieth Heroine (Krisna Thangamani) even looked like he poked his head in front on his outside.

But, to the great relief of Flying connections, their Fighter's charge fought his way back to seal his first success by a neck.

"He's done a good job. He was unlucky at his last starts," said Burridge.

"He's still a big baby. He gets lost in front, and I really thought that other horse would beat him.