Gold Coast sprinter Final Crescendo is on course for a crack at the Melbourne spring carnival following a brilliant victory at Doomben on Saturday.

Final Crescendo (5g Foreplay – Flickering Fire by Forest Glow) collared speedy front-runner Rocket To Glory for a cosy win in the Powerade Handicap (1200m).  He was racing second-up following an unlucky second in the LR Prime Minister’s Cup (1300m) on home turf in May.

Trainer David Kelly has always had a big opinion of the Foreplay sprinter.  “He was three wide and never on the track in the PM Cup,” Kelly recalled.  “I think he will eventually get 1600 metres.”

Kelly will speak with owner-breeder Charlie Plumridge before confirmed a campaign targeting the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 4.  “Charlie has raced several horses with me over many years,” Kelly said.  “He’s a great owner and never interferes.”

Plumridge raced his dam Flickering Fire to a couple of Listed wins at Randwick and she was also a close second to Camino Rose in the 1999 Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Rosehill when it was a Group 2.

Foreplay (Danehill) was beset with fertility issues early in his Hunter Valley stud career before transferring to Woodside Park at Tylden in Victoria.  That’s since been resolved and broodmare owners can now send him mares with full confidence.

Australian Stud Book figures for his last three books show Foreplay has served 177 mares for an 80% fertility rate.  He stands at Woodside Park for a $6,600 (inc gst) fee.