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It was fitting that the grey mare Fibrillation won the first at Randwick, the $100,000 listed Aspiration Quality on Saturday as her colouring matched the afternoon clouds as racing returned to headquarters for the first time since November.
Almost on cue for the return to Randwick the heavens opened on Friday night after a relatively dry week, a rarity for Sydney's summer, and the track was downgraded to a Slow 7 after the rain eased during the morning leaving the grey skies.
It all suited the Tim Martin trained Fibrillation perfectly in the fillies and mares race and with barrier one jockey Brenton Avdulla did not have to move from the rails at any stage of the race, and he did not to guide the mare home.
Sienna Red led the field out at a good clip from Upon The Rock. They had a good lead over the field passing the 500m.
Going up the hill at the top of the straight Brown tried to keep Sienna Red going but she tired and drifted out.
Avdulla had bided his time in fifth on Fibrillation throughout the early proceedings and the moment Sienna Red rolled away there was a large inviting gap.
He sent Fibrillation forward and with 200m to run they were leading well and even though the mare tired over the concluding stages she had enough to hold Cabernet, who made a late charge down the middle of the track. Older Than Time was third.
“It was a very good performance aided by the rain this morning,” Martin said.
“Once the rain came I was more confident. She was going really well and I did not trial her for a reason as she goes really well fresh. She drew barrier 1 so it was all good. When the sun was out yesterday I thought she would find it hard but the rain came and helped her chances.
“It has been raining for the last six months and I hope it keeps raining.”
Martin said that he would monitor the weather over the coming weeks to try to find similar conditions for Fibrillation's next race.