Just seven fillies will contest Saturday’s Group 1 Flight Stakes, but it shapes as a terrific race regardless of size.
Dame Giselle is yet to taste anything but success this time, but she’ll need to go to another level to record her first Group 1 win over the likes of Hungry Heart in the Flight Stakes.
Flight Stakes – Winner
No. 2 Hungry Heart – Bet Now: $2.45
Hungry Heart has stripped fitter for two starts back from a spell and she is ready to win when she steps out in the Flight Stakes.
The daughter of Frankel raced well during her debut preparation, but she always gave the impression that she would be better at three, and she has so far finished second in both the Furious Stakes and the Tea Rose Stakes this time.
She was probably only denied last time by a luckless run in transit, and getting out to mile on Saturday is going to be perfect for her.
Flight Stakes – 2nd
No. 1 Dame Giselle – Bet Now: $2.50
This does shape as a race in two and I can’t find a reason why Dame Giselle won’t be in the finish again.
She was also an above-average performer at two, but she has clearly gone to another level this time, winning all of the Silver Shadow Stakes, Furious Stakes and Tea Rose Stakes.
She has options in transit from the rails draw, I just think that Hungry Heart has a little more upside and will be more effective over the mile.
Flight Stakes – 3rd
No. 3 Vangelic – Bet Now: $11.00
Vangelic is another filly that has improved for two starts this preparation, and she is ready to do something third-up in the Flight Stakes.
The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained filly returned some good efforts during her two-year-old season, and she resumed this time for a credible fourth in the Furious Stakes before filling the minors behind the other two mentioned in the Tea Rose, last time out.
If she continues on a similar trajectory, she certainly has claims in this race.
Flight Stakes – 4th
No. 5 Joviality – Bet Now: $11.00
This is a decent rise in class for Joviality, but she has been very impressive in weaker company and is deserving of her shot.
The I Am Invincible filly finished third in a couple of races at Newcastle and Canterbury in July, and has won each of her last three leading into this race, including a comfortable triumph in BM72 company last time out.
You simply cannot underestimate champion trainer Chris Waller, and Joviality could very well run a cheeky race here, at a price.
Flight Stakes Suggested Bets
- 4 Units straight out #2 Hungry Heart
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections above