Skybird is shaping up for a shot at Australia’s exclusive 1000-metre Group 1 double, having impressed trainer Mitch Freedman with a sharp trial performance at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday morning.
Positioned towards the back in a talent-packed 10-horse field, the five-year-old finished strongly out wide under minimal pressure, crossing the line in sixth place, 5¼ lengths behind Miss Roumbini. The trial also featured quality mares Miraval Rose, Niance, and Magic Time, who filled the minor placings.
This was Skybird’s first public appearance since her triumph in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning on February 15. Freedman was clearly pleased with her effort, saying: “She was super, she just sat back off the speed and joined in and was really good. The last 100 (metres), we were really happy with that. It was exactly what we needed for where we’re at in the prep and it’s going to have us in good stead going forward heading towards the Moir first-up.”
The $750,000 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 6, along with the Black Caviar Lightning, are the only Group 1 races in Australia run over 1000m. Skybird’s Lightning victory over Stretan Angel and Benedetta was followed by a muscle injury that forced an early end to her campaign.
Freedman credited his team’s work in her recovery. “The team have done a really good job with her, she’s been a lot of work to get that muscle right, but I think we’ve got it in good shape at the moment and the way she’s stretched out there today would suggest that she’s feeling pretty good about it all,” he said.
While her next confirmed target is the Moir Stakes, which will be her second appearance at The Valley after winning the Group 2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic (1600m) as a three-year-old, her broader spring plans will be guided by that performance. “We’re hoping to string a bigger preparation together and what that looks like will be decided on how she goes in the Moir,” Freedman said. “We’re just looking forward to getting her back to raceday, we’ll wrap her up in cotton wool, and she’ll probably have another jump out between now and the Moir and maybe a little look around The Valley before she goes there on raceday again.”
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