Joe Pride and Jay Ford are on the cusp of a milestone as they edged closer to 100 winners together with In Flight’s Randwick success

High-class filly In Flight continued her outstanding form with an impressive win under a big weight at Randwick which has trainer Joe Pride and jockey Jay Ford closer to a special milestone.

In Flight continued her outstanding form at Randwick on Saturday with her fourth win from five starts this campaign. Picture: Getty Images

Trainer Joe Pride and jockey Jay Ford are closing in on a century of wins together after In Flight continued her winter form surge with another impressive effort at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

In Flight made light of her 60kg burden and raced away from her rivals for an easy win in the ASX Maurice Farhart Handicap (1100m).

The promising In Flight scored her fourth win from five starts this preparation – and her fifth win for the season – and will claim the prestigious NSW Breeders and Owners Bonus Scheme award for most wins by an eligible horse.

But Pride admitted all the “negative talk” about In Flight having to shoulder her big weight had dented his confidence a little on race even.

In Flight is FLYING! ✈️

Jay Ford and @PrideRacing combine for another win in the @ProvenTbreds colours 💚🖤 pic.twitter.com/qqDDsxymJw

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 13, 2024

“My confidence levels came down a little because of all the media negativity about her weight,’’ Pride said.

“Because I was thinking all week In Flight looked a good thing in this race.

“She is going super and I just thought she looked too good for these horses. She is a proper Saturday horse and is a filly going places. It was a very good win.’’

In Flight was well-backed into $2.70 favouritism and proved a class above her rivals as she accelerated past early leader Flag Hall ($6) to win by a widening two lengths with Kadall ($21) one and three quarters of a length away third.

Ford has been riding for the Pride stable for more than 15 years and In Flight was his 97th winner for the trainer. Only the retired Corey Brown (115 wins) has ridden more winners for Pride.

In Flight was also the fifth successive Saturday Ford has won at least one race – including a rare foray to Flemington last month to win on the Pride-trained The Black Cloud.

The Black Cloud is a filly on the rise! 📈@PrideRacingpic.twitter.com/cscIaSg7aY

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 22, 2024

Ford said the fast early tempo meant In Flight had to “carry the weight today”.

“They overdid it up front and I think that worked in my filly’s favour as she was able to relax and conserve her energy,’’ Ford said.

“She was really strong late and that has been a recurring theme all preparation with this filly. The last portions of her race are the best every time.’’

In Flight, who is raced by Jamie Walter’s Proven Thoroughbreds of Think About It and Private Eye fame, has stormed through the grades this winter – and she’s not finished yet.

Pride said In Flight is a superior wet-tracker and he will look to take advantage of these conditions at Rosehill Gardens next Saturday.

“There are another couple of races we could nominate for next Saturday over 1100m and 1200m,’’ Pride said.

“If anything she is looking for further as she showed today because she was running away from them at the end which is how she has winning her races all winter.’’

Originally published as Joe Pride and Jay Ford are on the cusp of a milestone as they edged closer to 100 winners together with In Flight’s Randwick success