Matthew Smith‘s up-and-coming mare Idle Flyer showed great progression to claim her maiden Group 1 success with an impressive victory over a more seasoned field in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes 2026 at Royal Randwick.

In a star-studded line-up stacked with multiple elite-level winning mares, Smith’s four-year-old daughter of Dundeel made it back-to-back wins this prep to score an authoritative three-quarter length win in the Group 1 $1 million Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) on Day 2 of The Championships.

After a lead-up win in Rosehill’s Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) on Slipper Day, the improving bay continued the outstanding autumn carnival strike rate by in-form hoop Zac Lloyd who gave the mare another perfectly rated ride.

“Great ride by Zac (Lloyd), it’s just fantastic,” Smith told Sky Thoroughbred Central.

“I was happy he was on the back of the right horses, the three to beat were in front of us (Pride Of Jenni, Lady Shenandoah and Treasurethe Moment).

“We were just hoping that Pride Of Jenni had a bad day and we were able to get home over the top of them.”

With her two previous Group 1 assignments producing disappointing 11th place efforts in the 2025 Surround Stakes and Empire Rose Stakes, today was all about atonement as she defeated the two winners of those races in a late charging, over-the-top effort.

“It was a proper Group 1,” Smith said.

“We’ve got a great crew in the horse and great supporters of the stable.

“I just can’t believe she’s won. I knew she was going good, but I didn’t think she’d win that so we’ll take it.

“It’s what we get up in the morning for, it means a lot to us.”

As expected, Ciaron Maher‘s front-running queen Pride Of Jenni – who eventually faded to finish 2.83 lengths back fifth – led the field around setting a smart pace in the lead.

Idle Flyer ($6) meanwhile relished the hot speed and high-pressure mile affair coming from fourth at the top of the straight to run right past her rivals inside the final 100m in a thrilling finish.

“She’s always looked like she’d run a strong mile here and you need to be able to run a strong mile to win one of these good mile races,” Smith said.

“You’ve got to be able to run further probably.

“When she won her last time here over the mile, we thought this was the race for her.

“It was just a matter of getting here fit and well.”

Showing plenty of late fight, the eventual Queen Of The Turf Stakes winner hit top gear with 50m left to travel to charge past the Chris Waller-trained favourite Lady Shenandoah who held for second with Matt Laurie‘s last start Sunline Stakes winner Treasurethe Moment crossing 1.67 lengths back third.

“That was a proper horse race,” Lloyd said.

“Fantastic to win on her, I love her as a horse and that just shows in our record together.

“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.

“She can travel at a high speed, obviously is the key when you’re versing Pride Of Jenni.

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

“I’m very happy to get the Group 1 for Matt (Smith) because I love riding for Matt and he’s been a good supporter of me.”

Still only lightly raced, Idle Flyer could now be Brisbane bound for a shot at Queensland’s Group 1 $3 million Ladbrokes Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 13.

“We were thinking about maybe going to a Stradbroke, a race like that,” Smith confirmed.

“She’s only had three runs this prep. We’ll see how she pulls up.”

As for the drop back to 1400m, Lloyd isn’t so sure.

“I wouldn’t say so,” he admitted.

“I actually said to Matt when she was trialling back in this prep I said, ‘this filly could probably get further now.’

“She’s just started to mature and relax. Today was probably the most she’s been in the bridle so Matt had her nice and fresh for the occasion and wasn’t worried about her pulling with having Pride Of Jenni in the race but I’m sure Matt will figure it out.”

The bookies however are taking no chances with Idle Flyer firming in from $15 to $8 in futures 2026 Stradbroke Handicap betting at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au.

2026 Stradbroke Handicap Odds

2026 Queen Of The Turf Stakes Results

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