The upcoming Saturday is eagerly awaited by apprentice jockey Mollie Fitzgerald, who is set to ride in her first Group race aboard the capable mare Flying For Fun in the $1 million Shorts at Randwick.
Fitzgerald, 24, who is indentured to Annabel and Rob Archibald, has had three rides in Listed races and is delighted trainer Bryce Heys has selected her to partner his dual stakes winner in a race that has become a key indicator for The Everest.
“It’s an awesome opportunity. A very ‘pinch myself’ moment,” Fitzgerald said.
“She’s a beautiful mare. I’ve had the benefit of riding her in a trial, but it’s so exciting. It’s what you dream of, to be in these races, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Flying For Fun, a daughter of Heys’ former sprinter Spieth, won the Starlight Stakes (1100m) in November and later confirmed her quality with a victory in the Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) in March.
Her subsequent runs in Adelaide were a pair of unlucky Group 1 placings; she finished strongly to narrowly miss in the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) and was unable to get a clear run when midfield in the Goodwood (1200m).
The mare performs well fresh, and while the wide barrier 12 presents a challenge against rivals such as Joliestar, Headwall, and Everest slot holder Ninja, Flying For Fun has appeared well in two recent trials, with Fitzgerald riding her in the first.
“It was her first trial and she wasn’t asked to do much, but I had a lot of horse underneath me,” Fitzgerald commented.
“James (McDonald) trialled her at her second trial and he was pretty happy with her as well. You can feel the difference being on those quality horses.
“She’s a model of consistency. She tries very hard, and she loves her racing. Towards the end of her last prep, she was ridden a bit more quietly and you do need luck from back there, but she has raced in good races and been honest.”
Fitzgerald’s booking on Flying For Fun is a one-off for now, but she is seizing the chance and hopes it could lead to more opportunities down the track.
“It’s just an awesome opportunity. Hopefully everything goes right on Saturday, and we’ll see what comes of it,” she stated.
Fitzgerald also has a booking for the Luke Pepper-trained Brave Xena in the Highway Handicap (1000m) at Randwick, reuniting with the mare after guiding her to a win in a similar race over the summer.
“There’s not much of her, but she’s beautiful,” Fitzgerald said.
“I won a Highway on her, and she’s honest, so I’m looking forward to getting back on her. She’s got a tricky draw (barrier 12), but she’s probably good enough to overcome that.”
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