Darren Weir is on target for his first Victorian metropolitan trainers’ premiership with another winning performance from consistent mare Flying Hostess at Flemington on Saturday.
It was her third win this prep with Flying Hostess only missing a placing once in her past nine starts.
Flying Hostess winning the Dover Handicap at Flemington ridden by Harry Coffey and trained by Darren Weir - (photo by Steven Dowden/Race Horse Photos Australia)
The four-year-old, who cost $25,000 at an Inglis Classic sale, proved too strong in the closing stages of the Dover Handicap (1610m) to take her winnings to $240,000.
With Harry Coffey aboard, Flying Hostess ($7) started from gate 10 and was ridden midfield three wide with cover as they made the turn.
She quickly made up ground and as they raced past the Members’ grandstand Flying Hostess had the race in the bag overhauling Crucial ($14) to win by 1-1/2 lengths with another Weir runner, Five All ($7), a long neck third.
The win helped extend Weir’s lead in the trainers’ premiership to six with 27 wins from Peter Moody (21), whose had a stranglehold on the premiership winning it for the past four years.
“We’re happy the stable is going well,” Weir said.
“Everyone has worked hard to get to this spot and to have plenty of runners in Melbourne is a great thrill for everyone involved.”
Coffey said riding three wide around the Flemington circuit was a tough ask for Flying Hostess but it suited her to be wide.
“She had cover for the majority of the race and that’s where she does her best work late,” he said.
