Time Ticking Away On Ricci's First Arrivals

BROODBITCH goldmine Tick Away Fire has joined Irinka Leanne in being two of the first bitches eagerly awaiting pups by boom young sire Flying Ricciardo.

Tick Away Fire (Prince Diablo-Cathella Ice) is the dam of Group stars Fire Legend (26 wins, $145,000) and Fire On Ice (21 wins, $83,000) from her litter by Fernando Bale.

"Tick Away Fire came on season on the day of the Golden Easter Egg,” owner Mark Moroney said.

“I had bought a straw for another stud dog for her, but when I heard Flying Ricciardo semen would be available, I jumped at the chance to use him.

“It was a snap decision. But you cannot help but be impressed by Flying Ricciardo. He beat us in the Black Top at The Gardens, he's a mighty dog.

"Early signs look as if she's going to have a decent sized litter of around eight."

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Moroney has always gone with the very best of race dogs when mating his bitches over many years and it has been a proven recipe.

“Look at stud dogs like Brother Fox, Brett Lee and Fernando Bale,” he said.

“They were the best of their time, the fastest dogs around.

“And when Flying Ricciardo went 29.22 at Wenty it made him a couple of tenths quicker than anything else at the time.

“Remember he was the hot favourite for the Egg ahead of Tommy Shelby and Wow before he broke down.

“Everyone was gobsmacked when he went that fast at Wenty.

“I'm told he's already mated some very nice bitches, and guys like Marty Hallinan have bought semen for him as well.”

Flying Ricciardo, still on the sidelines due to injury, has enjoyed a spectacular start to his stud career, demanding plenty of attention from breeders, albeit in the breeding "off season".

Moroney said some of the pups from the Flying Ricciardo and Tick Away Fire litter would be for sale.

“I usually only keep one or two out of each litter I breed,” he said.

“That's what I did with the litter by Fernando Bale that included Fire Legend and Fire On Ice.”

He kept Fire Legend for himself and his best mate, Graham Blunt, picked Fire On Ice.

“And now Graham has a future broodbitch goldmine,” said Mark.

Tick Away Fire's latest litter, by My Redeemer, is just starting to race and at 19 months includes Black Firebrand which last Saturday won at Wauchope in a flying best of day 21.50.

Moroney will head to Albion Park on Thursday night to trial both Fire Legend and Fire On Ice with the Group 1 Brisbane Cup (520m) and hopefully a spot in the State Of Origin series their targets.