The repercussions of a demanding initial run were evident in Idle Flyer’s performance when she was beaten as the favourite last start. However, the mare is now on a mission to reignite her spring campaign at Randwick.
Although she is not expected to contend with the prohibitive favourite Autumn Glow in The 7 Stakes (1600m), jockey Zac Lloyd is looking for an improved showing. Idle Flyer failed to display her usual vigour when finishing fourth in the Tramway Stakes (1400m).
This followed a solid initial run behind the leading mare in the Winx Stakes (1400m), a race where the strong tempo undoubtedly pushed several competitors out of their comfort zones.
“I honestly think she just had a bad day,” Lloyd stated concerning Idle Flyer’s Tramway Stakes performance.
“She had a hard first-up run off a really solid tempo in a Group One and a two-week back-up.
“I was a bit worried going to the gates because she didn’t feel like her normal self. She was a bit flat cantering to the gates. But in saying that, they didn’t go hard the other day so although she got beaten, she had a much easier day out.
“Hopefully she can bounce back to a bit better form.”
Autumn Glow was priced at $1.15 on Friday, with Idle Flyer being the outsider in the five-horse field at $23.
Lloyd admits that finding a weakness in the favourite’s record is a challenge. He is not approaching the race anticipating an upset, but rather hoping Idle Flyer can exhibit her best work in the latter stages to set herself up for a suitable target deeper into the spring.
“She’s very hard to ride against because she does everything so right. She jumps well, she puts herself in a winnable position,” Lloyd said of Autumn Glow.
“I think Idle Flyer, we’ll be riding a bit cold on the weekend and then see if she can step up to the better races.
“If I can get on the back of Autumn Glow and then get as close as I can up the straight, that will be my goal.”
The 7 Stakes (1600m) is considered a significant stepping stone for Idle Flyer, with trainer Matthew Smith eyeing the Cox Plate (2000m) as a potential ambition.
The mare has yet to compete beyond a mile, and Lloyd’s feedback from Saturday’s race will undoubtedly play a key role in Smith’s decision-making process regarding whether to extend her campaign to middle-distance races this season.
The talented young hoop will also partner Headwall for Smith in The Shorts (1100m), expressing confidence that the seven-year-old gelding can back up his slashing second in the Concorde Stakes (1000m) on his first run in 12 months.
“It was good for him to show people that he’s had a year off, but he’s come back even better,” Lloyd stated. “He’s only lightly raced. He’s a horse who gets back and he’s going to need a bit of luck, a bit of pace on. But he’s ready to go again.”
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