At Doomben on Wednesday, in Race 7, the XXXX GOLD Class 1 Handicap 1350m, Dynamic mare RED HOT LIZZIE jumped away from Barrier 3 with ‘happy-go-lucky’ Irishman MARTIN HARLEY in the saddle. Trainer CHRIS MUNCE had given simple instructions to lead or trail the speed if they were overdoing things in front.
A Winner at Canterbury over 1200m on 24 July 2024, and 3rd at Canterbury on New Year’s Day 2025. Now based in Queensland, she ran 2nd at Ipswich first-up over 1100m and then an eye-catching 3rd at Eagle Farm over 1200m last start, before stepping up to a preferred 1350m for this win at Doomben.
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As the barriers clanged back, RED HOT LIZZIE who was wearing blinkers for the first time, jumped away evenly, and pushed forward to dispute the lead as the field settled into stride. It was a quick first furlong, as despised $151 longshot Ucelle wanted to lead at all costs obviously to give its connections a cheap thrill and it kept going.
There was a clump of leaders after 200m, five abreast when Martin Harley elected to let the speed go and came back 2-lengths to get a perfect trail in fifth spot, one-off the fence with cover, as the field thundered past the 1000m marker.
Passing that point, Ucelle led, Runaway Tycoon at its girth, three wide Ecclestone, a half-length over Sugar Island fourth the paint, and RED HOT LIZZIE in fifth two and a half lengths off the leader.
The leaders put the brakes on from the 800m to the 600m and passing that point there was no change in the order, but the field had compacted as they started their drive into the home turn.
At the 400m as they rounded the bend, it was two lines of 3 across the track in the same order as they had settled with RED HOT LIZZIE being tucked-up behind the leaders as the field began their swing into the straight.
On the point of the turn, Martin angled RED HOT LIZZIE out off the heels of the leaders and shoved her way into a 4-wide running position, with clear ground as the field balanced for the run home.
At the 250m there were 4 across the track, as RED HOT LIZZIE had moved up to eyeball the leaders and under hands and heels, swept past and kept going to claim the lead.
At the 200m Martin pushed the “go-button” and our mare responded brilliantly. She changed gears and broke their hearts, clearing out, putting-up a gap job.
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As the leaders wilted, Chief In Charge ran on to narrowly claim the runner’s-up spot, but with a widening lead each stride, Martin gave RED HOT LIZZIE a comfortable canter across the line to claim a strong win with a daylight margin of 2.46 lengths back to Chief In Charge who finished a flared nostril 0.06 length ahead of Ecclestone in third.
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JOB DONE!
The racecaller described it perfectly: “A few with a chance here, where Eccleston despite a wide run reached the lead but RED HOT LIZZIE claimed it quickly, then Runaway Tycoon. It's RED HOT LIZZIE in front, clearing out now, short of 100m to go and RED HOT LIZZIE opening up with the blinkers on; too good, and got the money from either Ecclestone or Chief In Charge, then Cherish the Day in 1:20.46."
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Sky Channel’s Michael Maxworthy summarised things saying: “A second winner for Martin Harley and Chris and Corey Munce, with RED HOT LIZZIE getting those blinkers on for the first time and they can make it difference, can't they? She's put 2 1/2 lengths on those horses, and she was trucking coming towards the bend just behind the tempo, and you could see Martin just waiting, and then he sort of got it to the outside and she sprinted quickly for a couple strides there, and put a stamp or her authority on the race, and she's been able to put them away and scored a comfortable win. Team Munce have only had her for this preparation. She's a Dynamics Syndications horse, and she's had three starts up here for a second, a third and a win. Now just waiting on the minors. It's pretty close there for 2nd and 3rd but #8 is the winner. Bernie, RED HOT LIZZIE, she was sort of hot to trot today!”
Bernadette Cooper added in: “She was hot, that's for sure Maxy! 35.07 the final 600m in 1:20.34. Here is Chris Munce yet again for the day. So, RED HOT LIZZIE lined up here in great order today.”
Chris Munce stated: “Yeah, I think the blinkers helped her too Bernie. She was sort of thereabouts in the first couple runs for us and tried hard, but we just probably thought there is just something missing with the finish and as I said, the blinkers helped her, and she was pretty strong today.
Bernie added in: “Yeah, good draw helped and a nice ride by Martin Harley again.”
Chris answered: “Yeah, he was positive. And as I said, I've said before the race, I didn't even care if he led, but there was good speed, so he did the right thing coming back, and got on his bike before the corner which he had to do here at Doomben.
Bernie then said: “Yeah a mature sort of five-year-old girl now by Hellbent, and she's pretty strong.”
Chris agreed: “Yeah a lovely mare, hasn't put a foot wrong since she's been with us, and so I said to Adam the other day that, I was really happy with her and the way that she sort of trained since she's been with us, I couldn't pot her. It's good to win a race for Dynamic, they have been great supporters of me over my riding career and training as well. So, it's good to be able to get a winner for them!”
Bernie: “Absolutely. This is why you think this is a nice trip for her around this mark.
Chris said: “Probably, it's probably a good trip to 1350m - 1400m, at some point, Adam’s probably going to cuss me for saying this, but I do think she could get a mile, on the right track on the right day, but will just take today's win.”
Bernie continued: “Indeed and this Irishman had a good freshen-up. Well done.”
“There is a Chris Munce, doing a superb job. We're going to have a chat with Martin Harley. She's a beautiful, big mare. Lovely, lovely style. Typical Hellbent. They just get bigger and stronger, don't they? And she's a mature five-year-old now. Did you spend all your money?
Martin Harley laughed and answered: “Chris said he has a big envelope for me when I get home, so I went above and beyond to spend as much as I could thinking there is a big present here. I can’t wait!”
“Oh, she was good, it went pretty smooth. Chris just said dig her out give her a squeeze out of the barriers and be real positive. There was enough pressure early to sit in the one / one, I didn’t want to get involved in that ugly speed stepping up a little bit in distance today. From her last run, I knew she would be strong. Yeah, she got there, and she and she hit the line good.”
And just looking at her physically here, she’s beautiful.”
“Absolutely. Big, strong mare and hopefully she’s not finished winning yet.”
“Alright, there is Martin Harleys in great form again here today. Double there for Martin and for Chris and Corey as well. RED HOT LIZZIE – nice mare for sure.”
Next Martin Harley recorded a comment for the Owners of RED HOT LIZZIE saying:
“I was pleased with that. Chris gave me a very simple instruction on how to ride as he normally does. He wanted to be real positive out of the barriers, we had drawn a good barrier, lead if you want, but there was no pressure she just sat in the one / one she travelled well went beautifully, and peeled off in the straight and went real good and strong to the line.”
CONGRATULATIONS to the OWNERSHIP TEAM that Race RED HOT LIZZIE: Dynamic Syndications Racing, Mr D P Morton-Donnelly, Mr J Padberg, Mr S Padberg, Ms S T Wilkinson, Mr G J McMahon, Mr M A Cowley, Mr T M Barclay, Mr S L Lamont, Mrs T Roberts, Mr J A Roberts, Mr R J Gall, Mr A Maich, Miss M Reynolds, Miss B A Taylor, Mrs J M Crooks, Mrs E L Ivan, Harry's Palace
XXXX GOLD Class 1 Handicap 1350m Barrier 3 56.5kg $4.40 Good 4
Winning Time: 1:20.34 Last 600m: 0:35.07 banking the $21,000 first prize cheque
Trainers: Chris & Corey Munce and Jockey: Martin Harley
Fastest of the three races on the day at the trip: a Class 5 Time: 1:20.75 and Maiden Time: 1:20.65.
RED HOT LIZZIE (by HELLBENT from ANNA LIZZIE)
Summary: 11-2:1:2 Prizemoney: $86,725 2 Wins: 1200/1350 Now a Bm67
1st of 11 DOOM 06Aug25 1350m Good4 CL1 $38,000 ($21,000) Martin Harley 56.5kg Bar3 Rtg 63 2nd Chief In Charge 58kg, 3rd Ecclestone 58kg 1:20.34 (600m 35.07), 2.46L, 5th@800m, 4th@400m, $4.40/$3.90/$4.20/$4.40
Onwards and Upwards! Forever Forwards!