Idle Flyer stuns rivals to secure Queen Of The Turf Stakes for Smith

Trainer Matthew Smith celebrated his second Queen Of The Turf Stakes crown as Idle Flyer eclipsed a star-studded lineup in a thrilling Group One showdown.

Pride Of Jenni, true to form, bowled along freely at the front, elongating the field and delivering a solid 1600-metre battle.

Idle Flyer sat in fourth under Zac Lloyd, striking at the ideal time as Lady Shenandoah, who would finish second, challenged the pacemaker, powering past her to win by three-quarters of a length.

Third place went to Treasurethe Moment, another three-quarters behind, and Smith remarked that triumphing in a big race at The Championships repaid the dawn rises and lengthy days of his work.

"It's what you get up in the mornings for. It means everything," Smith said.

"I just can't believe she's won. I knew she was going good, but I didn't think she'd win that. We'll take it."

After Idle Flyer's victory in the Angst Stakes over the track and distance in spring, Smith plotted her assault on the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m).

A small interruption early in her campaign required some recovery effort, yet her latest Emancipation Stakes (1500m) score confirmed her readiness.

"Every now and then one lands, and she landed today," Smith said.

"She has run a strong mile here, and you need to run a strong mile to win these good mile races. You need to be able to run further, probably.

"When she won last time in over the mile we thought this is the race for her, it was just a matter of getting her here fit and well."

Over eight mounts on Idle Flyer, Lloyd boasts seven winners, showcasing their strong bond.

The Golden Slipper victor read the race flawlessly on Saturday, tracking Cox Plate third Treasurethe Moment before pouncing late.

"Fantastic to win on her. I love her as a horse, and that shows in our record together," Lloyd said.

"For her to go into that race, it was a proper horse race against the best milers in the country, they've got a proper horse on their hands.

"I got a lovely run today in behind Lady Shenandoah and Treasurethe Moment, and I was in the perfect spot at the 600, and my horse delivered."

Connections are pondering a Brisbane raid for Idle Flyer, potentially in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) come June, according to Smith.

This victory echoed Smith's prior Queen Of The Turf Stakes success with Nimalee four years prior.

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