Natural Fling’s debut success at Caulfield paves the way for a Queensland campaign featuring a substantial juvenile prize money race.
Strongly backed into favouritism by punters, the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained filly led every step of the Sportsbet Feed Handicap (1100m) in a polished display.
Under Harry Coffey as the $2.10 top pick, she scored by three lengths margin over Jarbardar ($6), with Shooting Brake ($6.50) trailing by an additional 1-½ lengths for third.
The McEvoys plan to contest the $1 million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic (1000m) at the Gold Coast on May 22 with their filly.
The trainers claimed victory in the feature in 2024 via Arabian Summer when hosted at Doomben.
“She’s going to be looking to kick on up to Queensland,” Calvin McEvoy said.
“There’s a $1 million race up there to consider.
“She’s very fast and the 1000 or 1100 metres, I don’t think it matters, but I was so impressed with her attitude today and she handled it all very well and that will take her a long way.”
Racing in the silks of Magic Millions champion Sunlight, with syndicate members from dual Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours, Natural Fling is a progeny of new sire Home Affairs.
The Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Carnival day one went to both Sunlight and Home Affairs.
“She’s been very natural all the way along with a terrific attitude,” McEvoy said.
“Home Affairs is doing a pretty good job and it’s a really good ownership group, some of our biggest supporters, some from Sunlight and some from Half Yours.
“She’s a filly that we have always loved, and we came here very confident, but the track was something that came up as a little bit of a query.
“She’s fast, had shown good ability in her jump-outs, but they all had to get through it.
“Harry had to use her a little bit, but she was quite dominant in the end.”
Discover the top sports betting options and betting markets for the race ahead of Natural Fling’s Magic Millions challenge.