Arctic Flight confirmed a valuable future well beyond the racetrack as she added to a stellar day for her trainer and jockey in the $200,000 Dark Jewel Classic at Scone on Saturday.
A close relation to Black Caviar and recently retired colt All Too Hard, Arctic Flight posted her first black-type win in the Listed race for fillies and mares, ensuring she will be a gilt-edged brood mare prospect once she retires from racing.
Arctic Flight - Photo by Steve Hart
“To get that stakes win on her record means quite a lot,” trainer Anthony Cummings said.
Cummings made his third visit in as many races to the winner’s stall after earlier victories to Diamond Earth and Fontelina.
Jockey Peter Robl went one better as he rode Tweet for Grahame Begg before linking with Cummings to win the Denise’s Joy Stakes and the Luskin Star Stakes.
“We make a great team don’t we,” Robl said to Cummings.
Arctic Flight drew a deep barrier but Robl made short work of the obstacle as he allowed the mare to work across the field to take up the lead.
“Going into a race you are always worried about wide gates but Peter read the situation beautifully,” Cummings said.
Holding on grimly when challenged from the 100m, Arctic Flight ($11) had a head to spare over Pipette ($8) with the $6 favourite Miss Stellabelle finishing a long neck away third.
Cummings said the Scone meeting was positioned perfectly for his in-form team ahead of the Brisbane winter carnival.
“The races fitted in really well,” he said. “There is good prize money here for the grade of race on offer.”
Arctic Flight will head to Brisbane where her main goal will be the Tattersall’s Tiara, a fillies and mares weight-for-age race, the final Group One of the season.
Pipette turned in her best Australian run for trainer Chris Waller after sitting wide without cover and doing all the bullocking work while Miss Stellabelle continue her consistent run of feature race placings.
