Let’s Fly puts herself in contention for next month’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks with a dominant victory at Randwick

Trainers Richard and Will Freedman will give consideration to a start in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks for progressive filly Let’s Fly after her demolition at Randwick.

Let's Fly raced away for an impressive win at Randwick. Picture: Getty Images

Let’s Fly lived up to her name with a runaway Royal Randwick win that just might have earned her a start in the Queensland Oaks.

Then 45 minutes later, Casual Connection also put daylight between himself and his chasing rivals to put himself into the Brisbane Cup conversation.

For a Saturday Sydney off-carnival meeting without a stakes event, some of the dominant and classy winners including Let’s Fly and Casual Connection showed they were on target for interstate feature race raids.

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Promising three-year-old filly Let’s Fly made a mess of her rivals in the Chalouhi Handicap (1800m), scoring by a widening margin of nearly six lengths.

Let’s Fly ($31) raced in a forward position, took the lead around the turn then exploded away to win by five-and-three-quarter lengths from classic hopefuls She’s A Dealer ($10) and Hurstville Zagreb ($4.20 favourite).

Will Freedman, who trains in partnership with his father Richard, said Let’s Fly’s win has given connections reason to consider setting her for the Group 1 $700,000 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on June 7.

“I thought she ran really well last week when she over-raced for the large majority of it and we thought, on a heavy track and a week back-up she might settle better,” Freedman said.

“I know the question will be, will we go to Queensland for the Oaks but we will make that decision in the next week or so.

“We have always had a high opinion of her, she ran in the Thousand Guineas last spring, and she has matured a lot this preparation.

“But she has come to hand a lot quicker than I thought. I thought an Oaks was way too ambitious but she has beaten them like a good thing.”

✈️ Let's Fly makes a mess of them all at Randwick!@NockBraith | @R1CHARDFREEDMAN | @willfreedmanpic.twitter.com/DwJnrhugwA

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025

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Let’s Fly is part-owned by Sky Sports Radio’s Racing HQ presenter Dave Stanley who for once was almost lost for words after the race.

“This is my first Saturday winner in town, it’s a great thrill,” Stanley said.

Master New Zealand trainer Roger James is still hopeful of getting She’s A Dealer to the Oaks despite being well-beaten by Let’s Fly.

“My jockey, George Rooke, said She’s A Dealer normally sprints and puts the race to bed quickly but she couldn’t today,” James said.

“She’s a high class filly, we like her a lot, but we have only ever seen her on much better tracks than this. She got weighed down on that track and the winner had taken flight by then.

“But we came here to try and do a job to get into the Queensland Oaks and she’s earned another $29,000 for her second.

“They have changed the entry qualification for the Oaks to average earnings per start and she has only had four starts now so that might get us quite close.

“What we will do is prepare her here and then go up Wednesday night before the Oaks. If she doesn’t make the field she will get on the plane to go home.”

🤝 Casual Connection relishes on the heavy track and brains them at Randwick!@jsargentracing | @MollyBourke7pic.twitter.com/9q8VKDeho9

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025

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Then it was Casual Connection’s turn to make a statement with his strong staying effort to win the PF Civil Handicap (2400m).

Ridden by star apprentice Molly Bourke, Casual Connection ($11) raced away to score by three lengths from Wuddzz ($4.80 favourite) with just over a length to Asgoodassobergets ($6.50).

Trainer John Sargent revealed Casual Connection won the same Randwick race last year before earning a start in the Group 2 $400,000 Brisbane Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm only to finish unplaced behind Alegron.

Sargent said Casual Connection could go back for a second crack at the Brisbane Cup on June 14 if the track is rain-affected.

“We ran him in the Brisbane Cup last year but the track was too firm for him,” Sargent said.

“If we happen to get a wet track for the Brisbane Cup next month, then I would give him another chance in the race.

“He’s a tough stayer but he’s at his best on rain-affected going. Molly rode him very well because the horse needs plenty of galloping room to build his momentum.

“He’s not a sit-sprint type, he needs to get into his rhythm because he stays all day.”

Originally published as Let’s Fly puts herself in contention for next month’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks with a dominant victory at Randwick