Extending a campaign can be a gamble, but Tony Mcevoy’s judgment proved correct in this instance.
Co-trainer Calvin Mcevoy harboured doubts about whether Natural Fling could withstand another start, given her already demanding preparation. However, the three-year-old filly proved her mettle in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Sandown.
“The query was 1200 (metres) whether she was at the end of her campaign,” Calvin said. “Thanks to Tony. He said she’s the best filly and she’s in well in this race. It is the right race for her and a fantastic result for a great group of owners.”
“He felt that she wasn’t at the end and I thought that she presented as good as she has all campaign. I’ve got to admit that I was umming and ahhing whether we were doing the right thing running her again.”
Her preparation commenced with a victory in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 15, followed by a third in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Sandown in September, and a second in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) in October. These performances led to her challenging the top colts in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on Derby Day.
That outing did not yield the desired result, with The Next Episode claiming victory. However, a return to fillies’ company, combined with favourable conditions, proved to be the perfect combination here.
Securing a win by 2¼-lengths on a soft track, Natural Fling finished ahead of Cavill Avenue ($51), with Nishioka ($31) a further short-half-head behind in third place.
As a graduate of the Magic Millions Yearling Sale in 2025, Natural Fling ($3.60 fav) qualifies for lucrative races at the Gold Coast in January. Nevertheless, the McEvoy’s conviction in her Group 1 potential is prompting them to prioritize closer targets.
“There was a lot of thought and talk about The Sunlight race on the Gold Coast – a good money race, but we do feel that she is a genuine group one filly and for that reason we’ll put her away now and target an Oakleigh Plate and those sort of races,” Calvin added. “She proved in the Moir that she is a weight-for-age filly and I have no doubt she’ll continue to get to that level.”
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