The lingering effects of a demanding initial outing impacted Idle Flyer, leading to her defeat as the favourite last start. However, the mare is poised to revitalise her spring campaign at Randwick.
While she is not anticipated to challenge the commanding favourite, Autumn Glow, in The 7 Stakes (1600m), jockey Zac Lloyd is hopeful for an improved performance. Idle Flyer failed to exhibit her typical eagerness when finishing fourth in the Tramway Stakes (1400m).
This run followed a respectable return behind the top mare in the Winx Stakes (1400m), an event where the strong pace pushed several competitors beyond their usual limits.
“I honestly think she just had a bad day,” Lloyd remarked regarding Idle Flyer’s effort in the Tramway Stakes.
“She had a hard first-up run off a really solid tempo in a Group One and a two-week back-up.
“I was a bit worried going to the gates because she didn’t feel like her normal self. She was a bit flat cantering to the gates. But in saying that, they didn’t go hard the other day so although she got beaten, she had a much easier day out.
“Hopefully she can bounce back to a bit better form.”
Autumn Glow was listed at $1.15 on Friday, with Idle Flyer positioned as the rank outsider in the five-runner field at $23.
Lloyd concedes that identifying a weakness in the favourite’s performance is challenging. He is not approaching the race expecting an upset but rather hoping Idle Flyer can produce her best work in the latter stages, setting her up for a suitable target later in the spring.
“She’s very hard to ride against because she does everything so right. She jumps well, she puts herself in a winnable position,” Lloyd commented on Autumn Glow.
“I think Idle Flyer, we’ll be riding a bit cold on the weekend and then see if she can step up to the better races.
“If I can get on the back of Autumn Glow and then get as close as I can up the straight, that will be my goal.”
The 7 Stakes (1600m) is viewed as a crucial preparatory race for Idle Flyer, with trainer Matthew Smith considering the Cox Plate (2000m) as a potential ultimate goal.
The mare has not yet competed beyond a mile, and Lloyd’s assessment on Saturday will undoubtedly be instrumental in Smith’s decision regarding whether to extend her campaign to middle-distance races this season.
The talented young jockey will also steer Headwall for Smith in The Shorts (1100m). He is confident the seven-year-old gelding is ready to build on his impressive second place behind Tempted in the Concorde Stakes (1000m), which marked his return after a year-long absence.
“It was good for him to show people that he’s had a year off, but he’s come back even better,” Lloyd stated. “He’s only lightly raced. He’s a horse who gets back and he’s going to need a bit of luck, a bit of pace on. But he’s ready to go again.”
Punters keen to get involved can find competitive racing odds at leading Australian betting sites.