Ascot trainer Mitch Pateman labelled Heeza Phoenix a ‘serious horse’ after the 3yo colt commenced his career with an on-pace victory at Belmont on Wednesday.
Heeza Phoenix firmed into a $2.90 favourite going into the Morley Growers Market Maiden (1200m) and lived up to that strong support with a debut win over Toscano (Awesome Rock) and Mr Kissinger (Trapeze Artist).
“He will have another run over 1400m before a break and then come back for the (G2) WA Guineas,” Pateman said. “That was a good win considering 1200m is as short as he possibly wants it. He waited for them once in front and then knuckled down for Lucy (Fiore).”
Heeza Phoenix was bred by Namerik Thoroughbreds owner Alan Bansemer and Pateman prepares him for a partnership managed by Fiore’s father Justin Warwick. He was stable rider for Warwick before weight caught up and believes they’ve unearthed another feature winner of the future. “Justin gets a good one every year and this is a serious horse.”
Pateman trained Glasgow Lass (Alabama Express) to win the LR Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m) for Warwick and Yulong Investments last season before a subsequent move to Melbourne.
Warwick won a RL Magic Millions 2YO Classic (12000m) at Pinjarra with Sheeza Belter (Gold Standard) and she transferred east to win the G1 J J Atkins Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm. Quilista (Scandal Keeper) also crossed the Nullabor to parlay a LR Bunbury Breeders Classic (1400m) for Warwick into a Group-winning double at Randwick and Rosehill.
Black Tycoon (Blackfriars) was another feature winner in a G2 Perth Cup (2400m) with Damien Oliver saluting in his black and white silks.
Pateman also thanked Warwick’s daughter Lucy Fiore for the ride and remedial work behind the scenes with her husband Brandon. “They’re good with all the babies especially this bloke. He had a fair share of issues but they’ve done a terrific job getting him back.”
Heeza Phoenix is by Yulong sire Grunt (NZ) and his dam Joadja (Charge Forward) was a $15,000 buy for Bansemer at a 2021 Inglis Digital Sale. She was a Newcastle 2yo winner for Grahame Begg while second-dam Okaylah (Flying Spur) won at Moonee Valley and was Group 2-placed at Flemington. Joadja has a 2yo colt by Shooting To Win with BK Racing a yearling colt by Splintex.
