In trackwork and on race day improving mare Flight To Quality knows how to accelerate and find the line.
The enviable trait stands her in good stead as she attempts back-to-back wins at Mudgee on Sunday in the Price Farm Machinery Benchmark 60 Hcp (2000m).
Flight To Quality’s last start win over 1600m at Mudgee had to be seen to be believed.
She gave leader and eventual runner-up Macho Nacho some 20 lengths start before reaching the home turn on February 5 following a daring ride by Kody Nestor.
“Kody said after the race he was never worried he’d pick them up but I thought she had no chance,” Warwick Farm-based trainer Gary Nickson said.
“She got to the line enormous.
“That’s one of the great things about this mare. Even when she’s doing long pacework it’s the same.
“She’ll travel but as soon as she gets into the straight she just accelerates, pulls the rider’s arms out trying to quicken.
“She knows it’s the business end and how to get to the line.”
The four-year-old Carry The Crown mare was purchased by Mudgee vineyard owner and restaurateur Roy Hofmeier as an unraced three-year-old filly and syndicated.
Under Nickson’s guidance the mare has three wins and two placings from 14 starts and has a particular penchant for the spacious Mudgee circuit, recording two wins and a second from three attempts.
Flight To Quality steps up to 2000m for the first occasion on Sunday but Nickson remains unperturbed.
“It won’t worry her. She got to the line full of running the other day,” he said.
“Kody thinks if she keeps improving she could turn into a lovely country Cups-type horse, especially if she handles 2000 metres.
“Her only problem is she doesn’t really like racing between other horses. She prefers to get to the outside to unleash.
“She’s a lean-framed mare, doesn’t carry a lot of condition but is a pretty good doer.”
Nickson added the mare pulled up well from her last start.
“She’s in good order,” he said.
Nickson will also saddle up July Opera, a Wyong winner two starts back, in the AAMI Country vs City Origin Clash April 22nd Benchmark 70 Hcp (1200m).
AAP TURF
