Promising mare to take Flight at Randwick races
Joe Pride has no doubt In Flight has the potential to develop into a stakes-class sprinter and the mare will be given an opportunity to earn her way back into that grade via a benchmark race at Randwick.
The four-year-old had her first taste of black-type level in the Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) last start where she finished a solid fourth behind all-the-way winner Eagle Nest.
On Saturday, she lines up in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1100m) where a victory will earn hr a shot at the Listed Canterbury Sprint (1200m) on January 1.
“One hundred per cent she is a stakes grade horse in the making, it’s just a matter of when she gets there,” Pride said.
“It’s a good, even field on Saturday and it will be a tough race to win, but she is a nice horse on the way up.
“I thought if she could win on Saturday she could go to the Listed race on New Years’ Day but she will need to be winning to go there.”
In Flight has been relatively lightly raced and has built an impressive record of five wins from 11 starts.
She has finished runner-up at her only two appearances on firm ground, while her victories have all come on rain-affected tracks.
Pride believes she is advantaged in the wet and while she won’t get those conditions at Randwick, which is rated a good 4, he is more concerned about her wide gate than the surface.
“Her big weapon is probably her ability to handle wet tracks and that’s why I ran her in that stakes race first-up,” he said.
“But she is still effective on the dry and she’ll go well on Saturday, although she has a tricky draw.”
Pride also has Accredited stepping up to Saturday grade in the TAB Handicap (1300m) following his convincing three length win at Warwick Farm last start.
He also has an awkward gate in barrier 12 and is likely to press forward.
“He was impressive the other day. He now needs to make that transition to Saturday grade but he looks like he’s got what it takes. I’m happy with him,” Pride said.
Stablemate The Replicant is an acceptor for the same race but is likely to be saved for another assignment on Boxing Day.
More Racing News
Blue Diamond Stakes 2026 beckons for unbeaten Big Sky
Big Sky has stamped himself as a leading Blue Diamond contender after a dominant performance at Caulfield for the Mick Price and Michael Kent stable. The colt now sits atop markets for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes following his commanding win in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes. Stablemate Guest House is...
Hidrix equal Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 favourite after a dominant debut
Chris Waller has unveiled another serious Golden Slipper contender after Hidrix produced a commanding debut performance at Rosehill. The colt stamped himself as a major player for the world’s richest two-year-old race as favourite Incognito failed to fire, finishing well down the order. Incognito’s jockey Tommy Berry reported the colt may have...
Chilly Girl races into Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 with Widden Stakes win
Chilly Girl showed her toughness and talent when leading all the way to claim the Widden Stakes at Rosehill, producing a performance full of grit. Despite being pressured early by favourite Miss Scandal, the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained filly refused to yield and found plenty in the straight to hold...
Wrote To Arataki claims a second Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes
Matthew Williams’ decision to reset Wrote To Arataki after a challenging spring was rewarded when the mare delivered a first-up Stakes success at Caulfield. The Warrnambool trainer celebrated as Wrote To Arataki secured her second Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m), adding another highlight to her consistent career. It was the mare’s...
Magnaspin finds winning form at Caulfield races
Magnaspin’s long-awaited return to the winner’s stall came at Caulfield on Saturday after a well-executed front-running ride from Jamie Melham. The gelding, trained by Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin, led from early and showed plenty of determination to claim the A Caulfield Kind Of Summer Handicap (2000m). Melham took control...
Big Sky out to cement 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes credentials
Trainer Robbie Griffiths believes Invincible Son is set to take another step forward when he lines up in Saturday’s Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield. The colt finished third behind Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Unit Five on debut and now continues his path toward the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes. Griffiths...
Jolly pair to tackle delayed 2026 Durbridge Stakes
Trainer Richard Jolly says patience has paid off after his two runners avoided any setbacks following the postponement of last week’s Morphettville meeting. Klabel and Great Maximus will both contest the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) on Saturday after the race was delayed due to extreme heat conditions. Jolly admitted the extra week...
Griffith makes Compelling case for sprinter’s return in 2026 JRA Plate
Trainer Mack Griffith is confident his pair can outperform their odds when they line up at Randwick on Saturday. Compelling Truth is the outsider in the Group 3 JRA Plate, while Crown Legend will contest the Highway Handicap at similar prices. Despite being marked at $26, Compelling Truth has previously beaten high-class...
Invincible Son out to take 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes step
Trainer Robbie Griffiths believes Invincible Son is set to take another step forward when he lines up in Saturday’s Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield. The colt finished third behind Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Unit Five on debut and now continues his path toward the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes. Griffiths...
Fitter Samangu ready to pounce in 2026 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes
After two runs back from a lengthy break, Grahame Begg believes Samangu is now ready to produce her best performance when she contests the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. The mare returned to racing in December after nine months off and initially struggled to find her rhythm. Begg expected...