Racing
Sydney mare In Flight at Caulfield
In Flight has stormed to victory in the Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield.
Sydney trainer Joe Pride is already considering Group 1 options for In Flight after her impressive victory at Caulfield.
Having her first start in Victoria, In Flight sat back off the speed under Craig Williams in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) on Saturday before storming home to victory.
Sent out the $2.50 favourite, In Flight scored by a length from New York Lustre ($10) with Recommendation ($8) a half-length away third.
The Group 1 pair of the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield and The Galaxy at Rosehill next autumn could be on the agenda for In Flight after Saturday's victory.
"I thought in the run we would be a lot closer and not tracking out so wide and that is probably what made it so awkward for her," Pride said.
"But she's a pretty good mare for what she has already done this winter.
"I'm thinking in the autumn that she could be a type for the Oakleigh Plate or The Galaxy, a couple of nice 1100-metre races.
"I don't think she has got to do too much to improve to get to that next level as she is going through the grades quite quickly."
Saturday's win on Saturday was In Flight's third in a row and followed Listed race wins in Brisbane and Sydney.
Pride said In Flight was not a gross mare but tough, and where he heads now is something of a dilemma for the trainer.
"I don't like to think about those things on race day, so we'll celebrate the win," Pride said.
"She's a very talented mare, not a gross mare, so she could do with some time in paddock, but we'll get her home and have a think about that.
"She's won in three different states at her last three starts, so that says a bit about her toughness."
Williams brought up a winning treble for the afternoon with In Flight's victory and moved to within four victories of Blake Shinn in the Melbourne Jockeys' Premiership race.
He said In Flight was favourite for a reason and was an exciting prospect going forward.
"She's very effective with give in the track and this is probably the firmest track she has been on this preparation, and she won with a bit of authority today," Williams said.
"She's still quite raw, she's got really good talent and ability, and you can see her profile as a racehorse.
"After being a part of Bella Nipotina's career, being a part of Mr Brightside, when the trainers have the right product and the trainers place them as they do, you can never put a lid on these horses ceiling and I think she's the perfect example of that, especially when she gets her conditions."
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