If the behaviour of Strat’s Flyer is anything to go by, he could be ready to spring a surprise in Saturday’s Listed Winter Stakes at Rosehill.
The seven-year-old, who won the 2009 version of the race when prepared by Allan Denham, has been in the care of south coast trainer Anne-Marie Robinson since the start of his current campaign.
While he is yet to be placed in three runs for her, Robinson says his trackwork and attitude suggest he hasn’t lost his zest for racing.
“He’s got very, very cheeky,” Robinson said.
“He’s sticking his tongue out, he wears his plates out because he’s forever pawing the ground.
“He is very keen in his work which is a good sign.”
Strat’s Flyer has been given a second chance by Robinson, who races him on lease from his owner.
“They were going to retire him but a good family friend, who was also friends with Strat’s Flyer’s owner, suggested he send him here to a different environment at the beach,” Robinson said.
“He loves it.
“He’s a beautiful horse to ride, he took to the beach as good as gold and he is really enjoying the atmosphere, he goes out in a paddock every second day.”
Strat’s Flyer will be ridden by Peter Wells who has a long history with the Robinson family.
He was apprenticed to Anne-Marie’s late father, renowned horseman Kevin Robinson, and transferred his indentures to her brother Terry upon Kevin’s death in 2005.
Strat’s Flyer is the rank outsider of the Winter Stakes (1500m) field at $51 but that doesn’t concern Robinson,
She produced another tried horse, Friday Creek, to win the Group Three Concorde Stakes at Rosehill two years ago at odds of $91.
Like Strat’s Flyer on Saturday, Friday Creek had indifferent lead-up form and was having his fourth start for his new trainer.
“He’s got the ability, it’s just that with these older horses they don’t always want to put in,” she said of Strat’s Flyer.
“But going on what he’s been doing at the track and the beach, he’s been wanting to do his work so mentally he’s still keen.”
Scarf is the $3.40 TAB Sportsbet favourite to give Darley its second feature race win in four days after Peter Snowden won Wednesday’s Ramornie Handicap at Grafton with Jerezana.
The Chris Waller-trained Gigino ($5.50) is second pick with stablemate Altered Boy a $15 chance.
“Altered Boy would probably be better on a wetter track but he can never be forgotten,” Waller said.
“Gigino, I still think he is another run away.
“He got pretty big while he had a long layoff. He’ll be close but he’ll still need another one to get to his peak.”
AAP TURF
