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Racing

Girl to Queen for Idle Flyer

Progressive mare to have three runs in Autumn campaign.

IDLE FLYER winning the ASAHI SUPER DRY ANGST STAKES at Randwick in Australia.
IDLE FLYER winning the ASAHI SUPER DRY ANGST STAKES at Randwick in Australia. Picture: Bradley Photos

Matthew Smith has mapped out a plan for talented four-year-old mare Idle Flyer, which will hopefully end in Group One glory.

The daughter of Dundeel is set to resume in Saturday's Group 3 Wenona Girl Quality (1200m) at Randwick, with the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) her ultimate goal.

A Group Three winner in the Spring, Idle Flyer was the subject of a spirited betting move in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, sent out a $3.60 favourite, dropping out to finish last behind Pride Of Jenni . 

Smith couldn't fault Idle Flyer's preparation, having fitted her with two trials and said Saturday is a great starting point for the campaign, with Zac Lloyd booked to ride.

"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."

Having always hinted at good ability, Smith said last preparation was where Idle Flyer really developed, winning two strong benchmark races before a dominant victory in the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m) which preceded 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."

While Smith is confident the Queen Of The Turf is the perfect target for Idle Flyer, he admits the possible presence of unbeaten superstar Autumn Glow isn't ideal, with a decision yet to be made on where she heads after the George Ryder Stakes.

"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."

Idle Flyer is a $3.60 second elect for the Wenona Girl Quality behind Gangsta Granny at $2.80 on Saturday and a $15 chance for the Queen Of The Turf Stakes. 


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