Talented filly Girl In Flight will press on to the 2014 Australasian Oaks after recording a strong win in the Group 3 Schweppervescence Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Girl In Flight recorded an impressive win in the Schweppervescence Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday. Photo by: Jenny Barnes
Girl In Flight was positioned just off the speed by jockey Matthew Allen in the early stages of the race and responded well when asked for an extra effort to hit the front when coming around the final turn and score a comfortable victory from In Masquerade and May’s Dream.
Allen was most impressed with the performance of Girl In Flight and is confident that the daughter of Commands can break through for a maiden win at Group 1 level in the Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on April 26.
“That was easy,” Allen told the media after the race.
“She jumped well and travelled beautifully.
“She was probably travelling a bit too good so I had to make my run when I did but she was strong on the line.”
The win was Girl In Flight’s first since she took out the Leigh Thomas Gift (1700m) at Caulfield on November 30, but the three-year-old performed consistently against strong opposition during the 2014 Melbourne Festival Of Racing; finishing third in the Group 3 The Vanity (1400m) at Flemington on February 15 , fourth in the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1400m) at the same venue on March 8 and third in the Listed Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on March 21.
May’s Dream was extremely well-backed in the lead-up to the Group 3 Schweppervescence Stakes (1800m) and she worked home fairly in the final stages of the race, but was unable to run down Girl In Flight.
Peter Ellis, from the Darren Weir stable, said that he was satisfied with the run of May’s Dream and he is confident that the New Approach filly can turn-the-tables on Girl In Flight in the 2014 Australasian Oaks.
“Today wasn’t her grand final,” Ellis said after the race.
“Girl In Flight had an extra run under her belt and she will meet her better at the weights next time around.”
May’s Dream will be stepping up to 2000 metres for the first time since she finished second behind Kirramosa in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 2 last year and will be having her third start at Group 1 level in the Australasian Oaks.
May’s Dream will be following in the footsteps of her dam She’s Archie, who finished second in the 2002 edition of the Australasian Oaks.
