Wonderful To Fly Photo by Pacepix
Trainer Shane Young is confident Wonderful To Fly won’t be out of her depth when she faces one of the biggest challenges in her career in Friday’s Nova 93.7 4YO Classic (2130m) at Gloucester Park.
Wonderful To Fly, who will be joined by Taking The Miki as the lone mares in the event, drew kindly in barrier 11 for what shapes as an even contest.
The mare was narrowly beaten by Simply Shaz in last week’s Group 1 Mares Classic (2536m), after leading throughout the event.
Despite the disappointment of defeat, Young said he wasn’t hitting the panic button.
“I think she’s still going pretty well,” Young told The Trots WA.
“I know she’s been beaten, but I don’t think she’s been disgraced in either of her last two starts.
“I planned to race her before the Norms Daughter Classic and obviously she missed that bit of racing, which she may have needed.
“I think with a couple of runs under her belt now, she should be near her top.”
My Ultimate Ronnie is the lone interstate runner in the $125,000 event and looks set to be the testing material from barrier three.
Will Rixon will make the trip to Perth to drive My Ultimate Ronnie, with regular driver Cameron Hart in Brisbane driving New Zealand Cup winner Swayzee in his first Inter Dominion heat.
Hoppys Way, who led throughout and finished third to Star Casino in the 4YO Championship, has drawn barrier one and looks well placed to get another opportunity to lead.
Star Casino and You’re So Fine drew on the back line with Wonderful To Fly in barrier 10 and 12 respectively.
Young said he hoped Wonderful To Fly would be suited by the underdog tag in the Group 2 event.
“Hopefully being in better company with pressure up front while she’s sitting behind them will bring out the best in her,” he said.
“She can sit on a good speed and still sprint home.
“I’ll be interested to see how she goes as the hunter, rather than the hunted.
“I’m happy going into this company with less pressure on, whereas she’s probably expected to win in mares company.”
Wonderful To Fly is expected to head to the Group 1 Golden Nugget on December 15, with her final run of the campaign set to come in the $50,000 Christmas Belles one week later.
WATCH – Last week’s Mares Classic
https://www-harness-org-au.akamaized.net/wa/GPM24112303.mp4?_=2
