Joe Pride is eyeing loftier Group 1 goals for his talented mare In Flight following her strong win in the Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.

Making her Victorian debut, In Flight came from behind under Craig Williams and surged home for an authoritative win in Saturday’s Group 3 sprint.

Backed into $2.50 favouritism by leading betting sites, she defeated New York Lustre ($10) by a length, with Recommendation ($8) a further half-length back in third.

Pride has set his sights on next year’s Oakleigh Plate and The Galaxy for In Flight, believing she has the class to make the jump to elite company.

“I expected her to be closer in the run but Craig had to work wide, which made it awkward,” Pride said.

“Despite that, she showed her class. She’s had a very productive winter and she’s still improving.”

The Sir John Monash win marks three straight for In Flight, who previously secured black-type wins in Brisbane and Sydney.

“She’s tough, very genuine and not overly gross, so we’ll think carefully about her next move,” Pride added.

Jockey Craig Williams, who scored a treble on the day, was also full of praise for the mare’s potential.

“She’s still raw but has enormous upside,” Williams said. “When placed well, like Joe has done here, you can’t put a ceiling on her.”

With more Group races ahead, punters can keep an eye on In Flight’s odds through top Australian betting sites.