With the Cox Plate in mind as a potential spring objective, trainer Matthew Smith is eager to gauge Idle Flyer’s performance against the nation’s elite when the mare commences her campaign in the Winx Stakes at Randwick.
A standout winner of the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) during the autumn, Idle Flyer is set to face her most significant challenge to date, competing against the likes of Autumn Glow, Aeliana, Sheza Alibi, and Ceolwulf this Saturday.
While Smith is not anticipating an upset victory, he is hopeful that Idle Flyer can hold her own and establish a solid foundation for her upcoming races.
“She’s not going to beat those horses in a 1400 metre race, so it’s really a starting point for her,” Smith remarked. “She’ll just get better and better into her preparation once she gets to a mile and beyond. But I’m really keen to see where she fits in. She’s had a trouble-free ‘prep’ leading into the run. Her fitness is good, and she handles a wet track, so she’ll run really well.”
Having raced relatively sparingly for a five-year-old, Idle Flyer boasts an impressive record of eight wins from 15 starts, consistently showing improvement with each preparation.
She made a successful leap into black-type company 12 months ago by securing the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m), further elevating her form in the autumn to claim the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) before her maiden Group 1 triumph.
Smith believes Idle Flyer’s best performances are still to come, noting that her planned third-up run in the 7 Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 19 will be pivotal in shaping the remainder of her spring campaign.
“That will be a fork in the road for us. We’ll either go to the Cox Plate or back the other way,” Smith explained. “We don’t know where the ceiling is. That Queen Of The Turf win was really good. That’s the first time we’ve really stepped her out to a proper race, and she was great, so fingers crossed she can keep going.”
Idle Flyer will be one of two stakes contenders for Smith at Randwick, alongside Prima Bella in the Toy Show Quality (1100m).
The mare is aiming for a third consecutive victory, and while Saturday’s Group 3 event represents a significant step up in class, she is currently the third favourite in early markets at $4.80, trailing Apocalyptic ($2.25 fav) and Savvy Hallie ($3.80).
“I thought, if she won the other day you’ve got to have a crack at a mares’ race,” Smith stated. “It might be too tough for her, but she’s going well. She’s race fit. She’s ready, and she’ll roll forward. If she can run top four, I’ll be delighted.”
Punters looking for the best racing odds might find Idle Flyer’s prospects intriguing in the Winx Stakes.
