Following a challenging beginning to her campaign, Idle Flyer has returned to form ahead of her Group One target, with this weekend’s Emancipation Stakes at Rosehill serving as a key preparatory event.
The mare experienced a postponed racing comeback due to a persistent virus, which led trainer Matthew Smith to commence her over an inappropriate 1200m distance in the Wenona Girl Quality on March 7, where Idle Flyer displayed her quality by placing a promising fourth.
She has followed up with a victory in a barrier trial to maintain her sharpness, and returns to competition on Saturday in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m), where she holds early favouritism.
“We started in a race we didn’t really want to start in because we had a few interruptions to her ‘prep,'” Smith said.
“She has been a little bit behind. Her run was good first-up, so she goes into this race fit and well, but is she at her peak yet? Probably not.
“She is ready to go, but one more and she will be cherry ripe.”
Amid a packed card for his yard, Smith also prepares Portland for the Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) alongside ATC Australian Derby hopefuls Eureka Rebel and Dezignation in the Tulloch Stakes (2000m).
These three-year-olds sit among the longer-priced runners in the lineup, yet both have demonstrated suitability for the distance, and Smith anticipates further enhancement over the Derby’s 2400m.
“Both look like they will stay really well,” he said.
“I just want to see them hitting the line. The danger in these races is you get no tempo, and then they’re not going to be suited.
“I don’t know what the Derby field will be like. I thought it might lack a bit of depth in the staying ranks, and we’d give it a shot.”
Eureka Rebel descends from the ex-Smith-trained triple Group 1 victor Fierce Impact, renowned mainly as a sprinter-miler.
Smith also trains Mountain Queen from the identical sire, and similar to the Derby contender Eureka Rebel, this filly exhibits staying power and is nominated for the Australian Oaks (2400m).
“The ones by him that we’ve got showing ability are more middle-distance horses. It would be nice if we could get one through to each of the (classic) races,” Smith said.
Portland enters the Neville Sellwood third-up, confronting strong opposition including the promising European arrival Barnavara, though Smith foresees the gelding progressing towards middle distances, particularly on a track softened by rain.
“He has been looking to get out to this trip,” Smith said.
“He’s not right at his top yet, but he’s on the way and this will be another step in the right direction. His work has been good, and I can’t fault him really.”
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