The drying track at Randwick knocked the edge off Joe Pride’s confidence, but he need not have worried as In Flight made it successive black-type wins with a determined performance in the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes at Randwick.
The program started on a heavy 8 but was retrospectively upgraded to a soft 7 after the second race.
Given In Flight has won four of her six starts on heavy ground, it wasn’t the news Pride wanted to hear.
“When this track started drying out, I was a little bit concerned as the best version of this mare is on really wet tracks,” Pride said.
“But the times they are running today aren’t too slow at all.
“So, to come back from winning on a heavy track in Brisbane and get the job done is a very good effort.”
In Flight has now won the Listed Bright Shadow Stakes (1110m) and Listed Bob Charley Stakes (1100m) at her past two starts.
Pride isn’t sure where he will head with her next but he believes she will only keep improving as she matures.
“She is up at the right time of year and we will see how she pulls before making any more plans but she is doing a great job,” he said.
“I love her. I wouldn’t say she is a sweet thing, she can be a bit of a tart. But she has all the attributes a good mare needs.”
Jockey Jay Ford described the win by the $2.35 bookmakers fancy as “brilliant” and said she showed grit to wear down Brudenell ($21) by a long head with Contemporary ($12) another 1-1/4 lengths away third.
“This preparation she just feels like she is on song,” Ford said.
“It’s easy to say now but she has two stakes wins to her name and is just oozing confidence.”
In-form jockey Ash Morgan also had a memorable afternoon at Randwick, booting home his first city treble aboard Hidden Motive, Hellfire Express and Millie De Lune.
