Afleet Esprit continues winning form in Cap D’Antibes Stakes

In-form filly Afleet Esprit continued on her winning ways with a last stride victory in the Listed $120,000 Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m) at Flemington today.

Afleet Esprit, black and white, scores a last stride win in the Cap D'Antibes Stakes at Flemington.

Afleet Esprit, black and white, scores a last stride win in the Cap D'Antibes Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Afleet Esprit made it her third win from her last four starts with Damien Oliver wrapping up a winning double on the David Hayes and Tom Dabernig trained filly.

Oliver had Afleet Esprit ($10) settled in the second half of the field and brought her down the middle of the track to grab Lumosty ($10) in the last couple of strides with Sabatini ($5.50) sticking on well for third.

Afleet Esprit is in the nominations for the Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 11 and Oliver thinks she is a good chance of successfully stepping up to the 1600m.

“We settled a far way off of them. We were giving them a good start mid race, but gee she finished powerfully, a strong last 600m, I’d say she ran some pretty quick time,” Oliver said.

“1400m will be right up her alley I think and probably from there on we will make a decision if she is going to get to the mile (1600m) or not.”

Afleet Esprit’s win also continues the good run Hayes and Dabernig are experiencing recently, chalking up their ninth metropolitan winner for the new season.

Runner up Lumosty shot to the lead at the 100m and tried valiantly under the hard riding of Craig Williams but couldn’t hold off the strong finish of the winner.

Smart Queensland filly Traveston Girl was sent out the $3.20 favourite because of some good Brisbane Winter Carnival form and trainer Tony Gollan shouldn’t be disappointed after the Flying Spur filly fourth battled to fill fourth spot after racing on the pace.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.