Flying For Fun targets Schillaci Stakes after impressive return
Bryce Heys has opted to keep Flying For Fun at shorter distances for now, with the mare's next start set to be in Melbourne for the Schillaci Stakes.
The dual stakes winner is expected to be nominated for the 1100m sprint at Caulfield on Saturday. This comes after a promising return where she closed strongly from the back in The Shorts (1100m) behind Mazu, in a race that favoured leaders.
Heys mentioned that while a trip south wasn't initially planned, he didn't want to extend the mare beyond 1200m at this point in her campaign. This decision led him to bypass the Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick last Saturday in favour of the Schillaci Stakes (1100m) the following week.
"I don't want to go to 1200 yet with her," Heys explained.
"I'm not scared to do it, but she's very explosive early in her 'prep' and I just wanted to keep her at 1000 or 1100, especially for her second-up run.
"I'm probably forced to go to Melbourne and three weeks between runs is ideal, so she'll probably run in the Schillaci.
"I feel we've got a good handle on her in terms of when she really excels, and when we've kept her short at her first couple of runs, it has set her up well for 1200 at the end of her prep."
The daughter of former smart sprinter Spieth has demonstrated her ability in the reverse direction, achieving a Group 3 placing at Flemington last spring and facing unfortunate circumstances in both the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) and the Goodwood (1200m) in Adelaide earlier this year.
Finishing 1-1/2 lengths behind Mazu in The Shorts as a $51 outsider, just behind Everest hopefuls Spicy Martini and Headwall, Heys was not taken aback by her performance.
"That day was the first time, physically, that she didn't look out of place in one of those bigger races," Heys said.
"It's a shame we didn't draw a bit softer to give her a better run, but in saying that, she acquitted herself very well so she's in a good spot. She has improved every prep.
"They were all entitled to run home quick, but she obviously ran home very quick, and she's come through the run well."
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