A Cox Plate start is under consideration for Flit after the filly claimed a nose victory in the 2019 Group 1 $1m Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield today.
Winning trainer James Cummings didn’t rule out running Flit in the Group 1 $5m Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on October 26 and he will make a decision closer to final acceptance day.
“Three year old fillies have a wonderful record in it. I must say that before getting through the Caulfield Stakes this year it is looking pretty open and I dare say she will be comfortable at a mile and a quarter,” Cummings said.
“So we have that decision to make and we can let the dust settle on today.”
“She is a beautiful filly
Hugh Bowman didn’t change any tactics on Flit after the pair were badly held up for a run last start when ninth in the Group 2 $250,000 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield a fortnight ago and settled the filly in the middle of the field again.
Bowman stuck to the inside and found clear space this week to drive Flit ($2.35 favourite) to the line to get the judge’s decision by a nose in a three way photo finish.
Missile Mantra ($8.50) swooped home from well back to claim the runner’s up cheque a nose in front of Southbank ($17) who fought on courageously after setting the pace.
“While she was back along the inside and didn’t exactly want to be there, he (Bowman) had plenty of faith in her,” Cummings said.
“To hear him (Bowman) talk about that there was not quite enough pressure for her to really unleash suggests that she had more in the locker and if it was a track gallop she would have the gallop of the race.”
“There is possibly more for her in the Spring. To come here and win a Group 1 with such little winning experience says a lot about her future.”
Flit is now a $26 chance for the Cox Plate with Ladbrokes.com.au.