Learning To Fly again in bid to return to racing
A hectic week at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sales saw Annabel Neasham have a hand in the purchase of more than $5 million of young horseflesh, but another previous sale eye-catcher in Learning To Fly is readying for a return to the races after a lengthy recovery.
Group and listed performers headline Warwick Farm trials on Tuesday and the three-year-old filly who was bought for $900,000 at the 2022 Inglis Easter Sale will be having her second trial in as many months in the lead-up to racing at Randwick.
With one outing already under her belt over 740-metres at Randwick on December 11, Neasham sounded confident that the daughter of rising stallion Justify was improving towards being competitive again.
“She’ll have two trials and head to the Light Fingers Stakes,” Neasham said.
Unbeaten in her first three starts in listed, group three and group two levels, Learning To Fly suffered severe interference in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill last March in which rider Chad Schofield was dislodged at the 800-metre mark.
Missing a springtime campaign with a lengthy recovery, Learning To Fly is part-owned by Coolmore and in the days after the run Australian head Tom Magnier indicated a wish for the filly to resume racing in the back half her three-year-old season.
With that plan looking on-track, Learning To Fly is in trial two at Warwick Farm over 900-metres.
Also in that trial is Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) winner Riff Rocket and Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) winner Atishu.
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