While extending a horse’s campaign isn’t always the optimal strategy, Tony Mcevoy’s experience indicated it was a worthwhile endeavour.
Co-trainer Calvin Mcevoy expressed reservations about Natural Fling’s capacity to handle another start in what had already been a demanding preparation. Nevertheless, the three-year-old filly rose to the occasion, securing victory in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Sandown.
“The query was 1200 (metres) whether she was at the end of her campaign,” Calvin said. “Thanks to Tony. He said she’s the best filly and she’s in well in this race. It is the right race for her and a fantastic result for a great group of owners.”
“He felt that she wasn’t at the end and I thought that she presented as good as she has all campaign. I’ve got to admit that I was umming and ahhing whether we were doing the right thing running her again.”
Her spring campaign commenced with a win in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 15. This was followed by a third placing in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Sandown in September and a second in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) in October. These performances set her up to contest the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on Derby Day against the leading colts.
That particular race, won by The Next Episode, did not go as planned. However, returning to fillies’ grade and encountering conditions that suited her proved to be the winning formula here.
Natural Fling won by 2¼-lengths on the soft going, crossing the line ahead of Cavill Avenue ($51), with Nishioka ($31) a short-half-head behind in third.
As a graduate of the Magic Millions Yearling Sale in 2025, Natural Fling ($3.60 fav) is eligible for lucrative races at the Gold Coast in January. However, the McEvoy’s belief in her genuine Group 1 capabilities is steering them towards targeting races closer to home.
“There was a lot of thought and talk about The Sunlight race on the Gold Coast – a good money race, but we do feel that she is a genuine group one filly and for that reason we’ll put her away now and target an Oakleigh Plate and those sort of races,” Calvin concluded. “She proved in the Moir that she is a weight-for-age filly and I have no doubt she’ll continue to get to that level.”
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