A frantic tempo provided by the favourite Calming Influence has helped set up a maiden city win for Flight Academy at Randwick on Saturday.
Apprentice Serg Lisnyy, who rode Calming Influence ($2.05) in the Sydney City Toyota Handicap (1300m), was hauled before stewards after the race and questioned about his tactics when the filly finished third.
Flight Academy - Photo by Steve Hart
Lisnyy’s instructions from the Chris Waller stable were to lead, ideally by a length, but at one stage he was some four lengths in front of the second horse.
Chief steward Ray Murrihy said it was not the first time Lisnyy had been lectured about his riding.
“You’ve recently been spoken about going too quick, too early,” Murrihy said.
“If you’re going to ride in the metro area we expect a level of judgment of pace.”
Stewards adjourned the inquiry until next week.
The apprentice’s tactics played into jockey Kathy O’Hara’s hands, who pushed her mount Flight Academy ($9) from sixth place in the run with 400 metres to go.
The feisty three-year-old filly defeated Miniature ($3.40) by two lengths, leaving Calming Influence a further 2-1/2 lengths away third.
“She was always going to pick them up I felt, but she did have to chase a long way from home,” O’Hara said.
“She’s a funny little thing and was still a little green today, but she’s got plenty of determination about her.”
The dazzling comeback sprint sealed Flight Academy’s first city win on her maiden trip town and it was her third victory from four starts.
Trainer Jason Coyle said she had made an admirable step up in class after recent provincial wins at Newcastle and Kembla Grange.
“She’s done really well, she’s come through her grades nicely,” Coyle said.
