Richard and Will Freedman will be represented by two runners in the fillies’ classic at Eagle Farm, with Let’s Fly earning her spot after a dominant last-start win that prompted connections to pay a late entry fee for the Queensland Oaks. Now, they’re placing their trust in experienced jockey Craig Williams to deliver a repeat performance.
The filly stormed to a near six-length victory on a heavy Randwick surface last month. Although she won’t encounter similar ground in Brisbane this weekend, co-trainer Will Freedman remains optimistic, provided she secures a favourable run in transit.
“It was a little surprising to win in that fashion. We knew she was in decent form but she really elevated herself last start and we have learned the key to her is making sure she’s not too fresh,” Freedman said.
“She just needs to be able to amble across to be on-speed at her own rate. She doesn’t want to be stoked up too early and she will run well if she gets the right ride.
“She has got to be nice and relaxed and if she is relaxed, then she’s got good upper-end ability.”
Freedman admits he didn’t expect Let’s Fly to be quite so dominant at Randwick, but her early performances had already hinted at her class, including a nearly five-length maiden win.
That effort secured her a berth in last year’s Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m), which proved a tough test at the time but showed how highly she was rated.
“We ran her in the Thousand Guineas because we had a good opinion of her,” Freedman said.
“She is going to keep maturing as a four and five-year-old but she’s in a rich vein of form right now.”
Pleasure Artist, her stablemate, will also line up in the Queensland Oaks (2200m). Her recent form may not appear strong, but Freedman insists there have been valid excuses, noting her Listed placing and fifth behind standout filly Treasurethe Moment in last year’s VRC Oaks (2500m).
“Her last run was an improvement. She’s had a bit of a muddled prep and she has been a victim of bad luck,” Freedman said.
“We will ride her a bit quieter in the Oaks. Cejay Graham will ride her. She has been doing the work on her and she’s happy with her.
“She will definitely run out 2200, that’s for sure, and if you do that you beat half the field home.”
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