Natural Fling too good in Thoroughbred Club Stakes

Sometimes pushing a horse for another start is a risky strategy, but Tony Mcevoy's experience suggested it was the right call.

Co-trainer Calvin Mcevoy confessed to some uncertainty regarding Natural Fling's ability to handle another race given her busy schedule, but the three-year-old filly ultimately delivered a commanding performance in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Sandown.

"The query was 1200 (metres) whether she was at the end of her campaign," Calvin stated. "Thanks to Tony. He said she's the best filly and she's in well in this race. It is the right race for her and a fantastic result for a great group of owners."

"He felt that she wasn't at the end and I thought that she presented as good as she has all campaign. I've got to admit that I was umming and ahhing whether we were doing the right thing running her again."

Her spring campaign began with a victory in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 15. This was followed by a third place in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Sandown in September, and a second in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) in October. These results paved the way for her challenge against the top colts in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on Derby Day.

That particular contest, won by The Next Episode, did not go to plan. However, a return to fillies-only races, coupled with conditions that suited her, saw everything fall into place for this outing.

Natural Fling triumphed by 2¼-lengths on the soft track, defeating Cavill Avenue ($51) and Nishioka ($31), who finished a short-half-head further back in third.

Having been purchased at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale in 2025, Natural Fling ($3.60 fav) is eligible for lucrative races at the Gold Coast in January. However, the McEvoy's belief in her Group 1 potential is leading them to consider options closer to home.

"There was a lot of thought and talk about The Sunlight race on the Gold Coast - a good money race, but we do feel that she is a genuine group one filly and for that reason we'll put her away now and target an Oakleigh Plate and those sort of races," Calvin elaborated. "She proved in the Moir that she is a weight-for-age filly and I have no doubt she'll continue to get to that level."

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