After a very close runner-up finish in the Group 2 Momentum Energy Stakes (2000m) on Saturday, in which Girl In Flight finished just a nose behind Suavito, trainer Robbie Griffiths is considering a trip to Perth.
Girl In Flight could travel to Perth to contest the Railway Stakes after a fast finishing run in the Momentum Energy Stakes. Photo by Jenny Barnes.
Griffiths is already taking Angelic Light to Ascot Racecourse for the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) on November 22nd and is considering taking Girl In Flight along for the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) on the same program.
Although her preparation doesn’t appear strong enough for the Group One race, the trainer noted the 2014 Railway Stakes doesn’t look as strong as past years with many Eastern horses choosing not to go. She’s currently a $21 shot in the Ladbrokes.com.au betting market.
“On face value you wouldn’t think she’d have the credentials for a race like that at this stage of her career but if everyone else from the eastern states isn’t going and it looks as though it’s not going to be as strong a race as some other years, it might be worth looking at,” Griffiths said to Racing Victoria.
“If she’d snuck into the Myer Classic and ran top three and I think she could’ve, we’d be probably going to the Railway with a bit of confidence that we have the right sort of mare to measure up.
“We’ll make a decision by Thursday so that we know whether she’s on the plane Friday or not.”
The trainer stated he would also nominate the four-year-old mare for the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Sandown this Saturday but she was a no-show when nominations were taken this morning.
He said Girl In Flight had recovered from the 2014 Momentum Stakes well, so the reason for her not appearing on the 2014 Eclipse Stakes nominations is unclear.
Angelic Light, who was last seen finishing runner-up to Lankan Rupee in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) on October 24 after being badly checked not long after the start, is set to contest the 2014 Winterbottom Stakes in Perth exactly one month later. The month off between runs was a deliberate choice according to Griffiths.
“We used that formula heading into the Manikato and we also did a similar thing when she ran second in the Group 1 Robert Sangster in Adelaide,” he said.
“If she’d run yesterday and got on the plane on the following Friday it might have just been too much.
“She completed some strong pace work on Saturday morning and is in good order, I’m really happy with her.”
Angelic Light is favourite to win the Winterbottom Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au, with a price of $4 ahead of Moment Of Change at $5.
Open your online betting account to back the Griffiths pair today.
