Joe Pride mare In Flight set for Group 1 path after success in Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield

Trainer Joe Pride has Group 1 ambitions for In Flight after her victory in the Group 3 Monash Stakes, and has picked out some ideal targets next autumn.

Craig Williams steers In Flight to a powerful victory in the Group 3 Monash Stakes at Caulfield. Picture: Getty Images

Sydney raider In Flight completed a stylish Caulfield reconnaissance in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m).

The Joe Pride-trained mare hunted New York Lustre on Saturday with Recommendation in third.

Pride has future Group 1 targets in mind for the talented mare, including the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield next autumn.

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In Flight coursed wide around the home bend but let down powerfully under champion jockey Craig Williams, who sealed a Caulfield treble with the feature success.

“Getting around Caulfield the first time … thought we’d be in the run a lot closer,” Pride said.

“Probably not tracking out so wide, and that’s probably what made it awkward for her but as soon as she straightened up and balanced up (let rip), she’s pretty good mare this.

“I’m probably thinking in the autumn, she’s a likely type for an Oakleigh Plate or a Galaxy, a couple nice 1100m races there for her.

“She hasn’t got too much to prove to get to that level because she’s going through the grades very quickly, it’s very exciting.”

IN FLIGHT ✈️

Joe Pride's mare is a beauty! She takes the Group 3 Sir John Monash in style, and it's that man @CWilliamsJockey again! @[e-mail]/zKWhIYd61V

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) July 12, 2025

In Flight returned $2.50 for favourite backers.

Pride has placed the talented mare, an eight-time winner from 18 starts, to perfection.

In Flight placed twice in Sydney to start the breakout winter campaign before a Listed success in Brisbane against fillies and mares. She repeated the effort last start in Sydney, defeated the boys.

“She’s won in three different states her last three starts, says something about her toughness,” Pride said.

“She’s handling it all really well and I’d like to say that was her best run today … she’s heading in the right direction, I don’t like to think about (future plans) on race day.

“Happy to have a horse heading in that direction because they’re very hard to find these horses, she’s a very talented mare, not a gross mare so she can cop a little bit of time in the paddock.”

Craig Williams sealed a treble at Caulfield with In Flight. Picture: Getty Images

Williams praised In Flight’s performance and potential.

“She is favourite for a reason,” Williams said.

“Joe has really developed her and taught her well, she’s very effective when tracks have a bit more give in the track.

“This is probably the firmest track she’s been on this preparation and she won with a bit of authority today.

“She was a pleasing ride, I could do what I wanted with her … first start around Caulfield, one of the plans I had for her was help her around Caulfield but she towed me around.”

Williams used fancied Kallos, ridden by champion jockey and current premiership leader Blake Shinn, as cover to give In Flight the best chance.

“She probably could’ve sat three-wide and closer and still won,” Williams said.

“But we want the perfect ride. I was either going to be following Blake or be in front of Blake and I didn’t think Blake was going to be able to get cover.

“His horse had been trialling up really well, so I thought it was the one to beat drawn near where we were, so then I was in a position I decided to be negative, save some energy early and finish off late.”

Originally published as Joe Pride mare In Flight set for Group 1 path after success in Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield