Path from Wenona Girl Quality to Queen glory beckons Idle Flyer

A roadmap to Group One success has been plotted by Matthew Smith for capable four-year-old mare Idle Flyer.

Dundeel's progeny is primed for a comeback in Saturday's Group 3 Wenona Girl Quality (1200m) at Randwick, targeting the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) as the endgame.

With a Group Three victory from the spring under her belt, Idle Flyer drew heavy betting action in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) on Flemington's track, jumping at $3.60 before weakening to finish tailed off behind Pride Of Jenni.

No issues found by Smith in Idle Flyer's build-up, complete with a pair of trials, describing Saturday as a solid opener to the autumn push, Zac Lloyd retained aboard.

"She's going great," Smith said.

"I can't fault her, her work has been really good. I'm expecting her to run really well, mindful that there's a few sharper ones in there over that distance but I think she'll be hitting the line strong late."

"That will set her up nicely to go to 1500 metres second up in the Emancipation on the 28th of March, then the Queen Of The Turf."

Idle Flyer had always promised more, but per Smith, it was her last campaign where she truly stepped up, taking two tough benchmark events en route to a powerful success in the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m) ahead of the Empire Rose attempt.

"We liked her but she was quite immature the prep before, so when she came back and won first up, we thought well, we're in business," Smith said.

"Her work leading into that group win at Randwick had gone to another level, and her work going into Melbourne was outstanding."

"She never really got comfortable, she'd just been out of her comfort zone in Melbourne all the way."

Smith holds firm that the Queen Of The Turf represents the ideal spot for Idle Flyer, though unbeaten sensation Autumn Glow's participation looms as a hurdle, pending her post-George Ryder decision.

"If Autumn Glow doesn't go there I reckon we're a great chance," Smith said.

"We won't be drilling her on Saturday, just comfortable and make sure she hits the line strong and hopefully runs top three and then go to the Emancipation, same thing and then to the mile cherry ripe."

For Saturday's Wenona Girl Quality, Idle Flyer is quoted at $3.60 second pick behind $2.80 Gangsta Granny, while $15 in ahead for the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.

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