Natural Fling faces seasoned sprinters in Moir Stakes
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable is prepared to gamble on a Group 1 contest against established sprinters when Natural Fling contests the Moir Stakes at Sandown.
It's uncommon for a three-year-old, let alone a filly, to challenge hardened sprinters in a 1000-metre weight-for-age race.
However, that's precisely the path Natural Fling is taking, aiming for the Group 1 Moir Stakes this Saturday.
Typically held at Moonee Valley, the Moir Stakes will this year be run at Sandown as the Moonee Valley circuit undergoes significant upgrades.
Natural Fling boasts a record of two wins from her three starts, returning from a spell with a dominant four-length victory in the Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 15.
This impressive run prompted discussions about the Moir Stakes, with Jamie Melham preparing for a fitness regime to ride the filly at the 50kg minimum weight on Saturday.
After observing Natural Fling's work at Sandown on Tuesday morning, Tony McEvoy confirmed his contentment with proceeding to the Moir Stakes.
"We've rated her highly right from the first time we put a saddle on her," McEvoy said.
"I don't think we would be going to this race if she hadn't already got the 'Black Type' under the belt, but now that she has, and the market is saying it, it's not a silly thing to do.
"She's fast and clearly she has to step up to those big boys, and it will be a big test for her, but I'm excited about it.
"With 50 kilos and to be able to have a Jamie Melham to ride at 50, is very comforting."
McEvoy has a wealth of experience with young fillies, having worked at Lindsay Park before launching his own training operation.
He believes Natural Fling measures up favourably against any filly he has encountered, including Sunlight, whom McEvoy trained to achieve 11 victories from 24 starts, including the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, the Coolmore Stud Stakes, and the William Reid Stakes.
"She's very good, she's very fast," McEvoy added.
"We've probably still got to find where she is, class wise yet.
"I trained a very good filly called Sunlight, and this filly is matching what she could do."
While not a definitive turning point, Saturday's engagement is anticipated to guide Natural Fling's future racing path.
"It will help determine whether we go back to three-year-old grade or do we go to the (Group 1) Manikato," McEvoy stated.
"The Coolmore is the race that we have got targeted for her and now that we're stepping up to the older bracket, if she could win a Moir, she would run in the Manikato."
Natural Fling completed a gallop at Sandown on Tuesday with Melham aboard, and McEvoy highlighted the benefit of the filly experiencing the race track ahead of Saturday's competition.
"She was fresh, she was stimulated by being here and wanted to get going a bit earlier than we wanted in the gallop, but once she got into a nice rhythm from the 600 (metres) she quickened up nicely," McEvoy explained.
"She was very professional for a lightly raced filly, right out wide on the track. It didn't faze her at all, and Jamie said she felt fantastic.
"I think she is where she needs to be."
Concurrently, Steven Arnold partnered Generosity in a familiarisation gallop over the Moir course.
The Chris Waller-trained mare is scheduled for her inaugural start at this venue.
Arnold guided Generosity along the 1000-metre chute, allowing the mare to experience the track where she will race on Saturday.
"She's fit, she's had a trip away, she looks in beautiful condition," Arnold remarked.
"She did a bit of evens, quickened up the last 400 metres and she pulled up really clean in the wind and she's ready to go for the 1000 metres.
"It's a hot race, but she has good form over 1000 metres. She beat Giga Kick up in Sydney at the trip, so her form is good and she is worthy of taking her place."
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