Trainer Matthew Smith has devised a blueprint for talented four-year-old mare Idle Flyer with Group One aspirations at its core.
Set for her return in Saturday’s Group 3 Wenona Girl Quality (1200m) at Randwick, the Dundeel mare dreams of the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m).
After claiming Group Three honours last spring, Idle Flyer was the toast of punters in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington at $3.60, but faltered to finish bottom behind Pride Of Jenni.
Smith had no qualms about Idle Flyer’s condition, bolstered by two trials, and regards the upcoming race as a perfect campaign starter, Zac Lloyd to partner.
“She’s going great,” Smith said.
“I can’t fault her, her work has been really good. I’m expecting her to run really well, mindful that there’s a few sharper ones in there over that distance but I think she’ll be hitting the line strong late.”
“That will set her up nicely to go to 1500 metres second up in the Emancipation on the 28th of March, then the Queen Of The Turf.”
Idle Flyer had perpetually suggested class, with Smith pinpointing her prior campaign as the turning point, where she nabbed two benchmark tests before storming to victory in the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m) en route to the Empire Rose.
“We liked her but she was quite immature the prep before, so when she came back and won first up, we thought well, we’re in business,” Smith said.
“Her work leading into that group win at Randwick had gone to another level, and her work going into Melbourne was outstanding.”
“She never really got comfortable, she’d just been out of her comfort zone in Melbourne all the way.”
Confident in the Queen Of The Turf as Idle Flyer’s marquee target, Smith concedes undefeated powerhouse Autumn Glow could complicate matters, her next move after the George Ryder Stakes unclear.
“If Autumn Glow doesn’t go there I reckon we’re a great chance,” Smith said.
“We won’t be drilling her on Saturday, just comfortable and make sure she hits the line strong and hopefully runs top three and then go to the Emancipation, same thing and then to the mile cherry ripe.”
At $3.60, Idle Flyer is second favourite for the Wenona Girl Quality on Saturday to Gangsta Granny ($2.80), with $15 quotes for the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
Head to trusted sports betting platforms for the best betting markets for the race in the Wenona Girl Quality.