Bryce Heys opened his day at Rosehill yet wasn’t on hand to greet his 100th winner’s comeback, with Flying For Fun grabbing her first Group win in the Maurice McCarten Stakes.
After running Mailata fourth in the Sydney starter, Heys headed motorway-bound to Gosford’s regional card for Banjora’s last-race tilt.
“He was here and then we tagged in and out,” Heys’ stable representative, Tammy Blair, said.
“He’s gone to Gosford to saddle up Banjora. So he’s there, and I’m here.”
First-up post her Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) conquest at Rosehill last November, Flying For Fun ($5) ground down determined Mal Coupe ($9) courtesy of a long neck margin, as $4 favourite King’s Secret filled third, another 1-1/4 lengths behind.
Heys’ prior training of Flying For Fun’s sire Spieth along with dam Vol Prive lent extra sentiment to the success, per Blair.
“We’re very happy. We had mum and dad, so this makes it that little bit special,” she said.
Zac Lloyd, on his sixth ride for the four-year-old in 12 total, hailed her command of the bunch and her advancement since her last preparation.
“She’s come back super,” Lloyd said.
“Much more mature and stronger. For her to do that first-up, that was a pretty strong Maurice McCarten Stakes, and she’s done it really nice.”
No rigid autumn program exists for the mare’s team, though her enhanced manageability widens her scope, according to Lloyd.
“I’m sure Bryce will find a good option for her, but she’s so tractable now,” he said.
“She can come from right up on the speed, or just off the speed. It definitely opens a lot of doors.”
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