Only three fillies have a chance of collecting the Group 1 Flight Stakes according to the market but interesting to note, that in the two traditional lead-up races to this even, the Tea Rose and Furious Stakes, the market has got it wrong both times. Winx ($2.60), First Seal ($2.60) and Thinking Of You ($4.60) dominate the betting in the eight horse race. Trainer Peter Moody is following a similar pattern with his filly Thinking Of You to that of his galloper Sensibility who ran second to Guelph last year. Like Sensibility, Thinking Of You has had two starts interstate – both impressive wins, and will face the Flight Stakes at only her third start. Moody will have a good gauge in Sensibility and despite the step up in class, the stable has decision to travel her up for this could be a seen as a good lead.
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1. WINX – H Bowman (8)
Returned from a brief break and kept her unbeaten record in tact with an impressive 2.8 length win in the G2 Furious Stakes (1200m). Not surprisingly after such a win, she started the 4/5 favourite in the G2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) where she sat outside of leader Earthquake in the run. Earthquake drifted out turning for home and prevented Winx from hitting top gear early than she would’ve liked and at the same time, allowing First Seal a charmed run along the fence. She did close very well when balanced late and the mile should be very much to her liking. Can bounce straight back into the winner’s circle here.
Odds: $2.60
2. FIRST SEAL – B Shinn (5)
Enjoyed a charmed run behind the leader’s back and finished her race strongly to cause a boilover when defeating Winx and Earthquake in the G2 Tea Rose Stakes (1200m) last start. That backed up a solid second to Sweynesse, who has won two G3 races since, and was her second win from four starts. Always shown plenty of potential and wouldn’t think that last start was a fluke. She’ll get her chance to prove just that from a good gate that should see be given every chance from in-form jockey Blake Shinn
Odds: $2.60
3. PRESS REPORT – W Costin (7)
She won her first race in the Stewards room when having her appeal against Liberation upheld in an Open class (1300m) race before failing on the heavy track in G2 Silver Shadow Stakes, finishing a well beaten last. The Written Tycoon filly then took her place in the G1 Golden Rose (1400m) and from in inside draw, found herself in the middle of a bunched field at the top of the straight. Not a great deal of room in the straight and she did well to hold her position in the run home, finishing seventh (3.2 lengths) behind Hallowed Crown. Hasn’t been far of the leading fillies in the past but again, might find one or two a shade too good again.
Odds: $21.00
4. ECHO GAL – (4)
Weakened in run home after crossing form a wide gate to sit on the speed in the G3 Sheraco Stakes (1200m), finishing over six lengths behind Catkins. A more favourable draw and a return to her own age group saw her tenaciously chase home impressive winner Kuro in the Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m), finishing second by 1.8 lengths. Overall form this time has been good but faces the top fillies here for the first time and will need to lift again.
Odds: $17.00
5. TWIRL – SCRATCHED
6. THINKING OF YOU – J Parr (3)
Trainer Peter Moody, as he often does, travelled his Thorn Park filly to the country for her first start, which resulted in a comfortable 2.8 length win in the Wodonga Maiden (1100m). With that experience under her belt, she came straight to town and despite the stronger field, was just as equally as strong, winning the Open class (1400m) race by 2.3 lengths. Camped off them last start before extending well in the straight like a good horse to defeat Pickin’ Time who finished just behind the place-getters in last Sunday’s G2 Guineas Prelude after a wide run in transit. Cannot have been more impressive in her two starts today and will be competitive here.
Odds: $4.60
7. LADY SHARAPOVA – J McDonald (6)
Recorded her maiden win when defeated Twirl first up from a spell in a Canterbury Maiden before catching the eye when finishing well to claim third spot behind Panzer Division and Shooting To Win – winner of last week’s G2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m), in the Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) on a heavy track. She then lined up in the G2 Tea Rose, lobbed in a handy spot in the run and off her Tea Rose run, expected to see more from her in the run home but she only battled on the firmer surface, running second to last and over four lengths from the winner. Might be better ridden a littler quieter but needs to show some big improvement off of her last start to be winning here.
Odds: $26.00
8. MUSCOVADO – (9)
Won her maiden at Kembla Grange two starts back, at her fourth race starts, and backed that up with a head win in a BM 65 (1300m) where the Gai Waterhouse trained galloper defeated five rivals. She stepped up in grade last week and contested the Listed Reginald Allen Stakes (1400m) running third (1.3 lengths) to Abduction after leading throughout. Racing honestly but in weaker grade than this and comes up against some smart fillies here.
Odds: $67.00
9. DYNAMIC ROCK – T Clark (2)
Broke her maiden status two starts back when hanging on to win a Warwick Farm Maiden (1400m), at her third race start, before having her chance in the run and crossing the line 1.8 lengths behind Abduction in last week’s Listed Reginald Allen. Needed to be winning that in good style to be considered a leading hope here.
Odds: $67.00
RACE OVERVIEW AND SELECTIONS
Echo Gal will lead away here with Muscovado coming across from the outside and Dynamic Rock handy. Both First Seal and Thinking Of You should get a lovely trail in behind the speed but going with Winx to zoom past them in the straight. She was caught a bit flat-footed when the sprint went on last start and then copped some interference from Earthquake as she was building into her run. She was coming again on the line and the mile will suit. First Seal got the right run last start but might just go on with it now and deliver on the potential that she’s shown previously. Thinking Of You has a bright future, this race as come to her quickly but the depth is limited and she’s promising.
- WINX
- FIRST SEAL
- THINKING OF YOU
- LADY SHARAPOVA
