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Trainer Joe Pride confident with In Flight at Royal Randwick on Saturday

As he aims for three wins on the trot with In Flight at Randwick on Saturday, trainer Joe Pride is confident the filly can develop into more than just a winter wet track wonder.

Ray Thomas
2 min read
July 12, 2024 - 7:00AM
Trainer Joe Pride (right) heads to Randwick on Saturday full of confidence with his in-form filly In Flight.
Trainer Joe Pride (right) heads to Randwick on Saturday full of confidence with his in-form filly In Flight.

Trainer Joe Pride has resisted the temptation to use a claiming apprentice to rely on the proven combination of jockey Jay Ford and promising filly In Flight at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

In Flight has been in great form this winter, winning three of her four starts including successive Rosehill wins under Ford. She has 60kg for her hat-trick attempt in the ASX Maurice Farhart Handicap (1100m).

Pride could have elected to use an apprentice to reduce In Flight’s handicap but stayed with Ford as the jockey has such a good understanding of the three-year-old filly.

“In Flight has been great this preparation and Jay has ridden her very well in her last two start,” Pride said.

“She could be a classic story of a horse that has come good on winter tracks but I can’t help but think she’s just getting better as she gets older.

“Although she hasn’t been tested on good ground, it is rare you find horses as good in the wet as they are in the dry.”

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Pride said even if In Flight was simply superior on rain-affected going, the filly could be placed to advantage through her race career.

“If this ends up being her best weapon there will be opportunities throughout her career to run on wet tracks,” the trainer said.

“I’ve had some very good wet trackers over the years like Sacred Choice. She got two heavy tracks on big days and won a Doncaster Handicap and a Myer (Empire Rose Stakes) Classic. There are opportunities for these horses.”

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In Flight is the $3.90 favourite to score her fifth win from nine career starts while another of Pride’s last start winners, Anagain, is challenging for favouritism at $7 for the I Love 0% Cocktails Handicap (1400m).

Anagain, who Pride said was likely to be sold online after Saturday’s race, has only won three of her 30 starts but is invariably competitive at this level and goes to Randwick after her fast-finishing effort to score at Rosehill last start.

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Pride also saddles up favourite Testator Silens ($3.60) and topweight Excelladus ($12) for the Kanebridge Handicap (1400m).

Testator Silens is “bursting” to win a race after successive Rosehill second placings including his narrow loss to Highlights two weeks ago.

“I’m really happy with Testator Silens, he’s racing well and gets his chance in this race,” Pride said.

“Nash (Rawiller) sticks with the horse which is good and I think with even luck in running, he will be fighting out the finish again.”

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Excelladus, a Randwick winner three starts back, is on the quick back-up after finishing eighth behind Tamerlane in the Winter Stakes last Saturday.

“I was a bit disappointed with Excelladus last start,” Pride admitted.

“But he did miss the start which is unusual for him so he’s done well this week and I will run him as he likes these (wet) tracks.”

Originally published as Trainer Joe Pride confident with In Flight at Royal Randwick on Saturday

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/horse-racing/nsw-racing/trainer-joe-pride-confident-with-in-flight-at-royal-randwick-on-saturday/news-story/4e0049a09eb4b4bcc24ad3f5623a158d