Idle Flyer leads Matthew Smith’s charge at Warwick Farm on Wednesday

An exciting filly from the Matthew Smith stable can take the next stwp towards a stakes race with a win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday where she is the $1.50 favourite.

Trainer Matthew Smith has high hopes for promising filly Idle Flyer. Picture: Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Exciting filly Idle Flyer can take a significant step towards a seemingly inevitable stakes test when she leads trainer Matthew Smith’s home track assault at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Smith holds his emerging talent in high regard and is eager to see her continue her development in the Precise Air Benchmark 68 Handicap (1400m).

Idle Flyer will take on just two rivals in the opening event on the midweek metro card after the field of nine acceptors was decimated by six scratchings by Tuesday afternoon.

One of those rivals – the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Metaphorically – has already tasted defeat by Idle Flyer this campaign.

Smith’s smart daughter of Dundeel produced a sensational turn of speed in a brilliant Randwick Kensington win last month where Metaphorically was half a length away in second.

“I don’t think they went quick in that race and they really let down strongly so 1400m looks ideal for her on Wednesday that’s for sure,” Smith said.

“I am really happy with her.

“She has always worked like a nice horse and I would like to get her in some better races once we get her over a bit further.

“I think she will run a mile, I don’t know if she will get beyond that but once we get her up over more ground, we will get her some better races.

“We will get Wednesday out of the way first.”

Young gun Zac Lloyd will retain riding duties on Idle Flyer.

The filly is a clear $1.50 favourite for the opening event from Metaphorically ($2.70) with the Tony Ball-trained Highly Tempted ($10) making up the field.

Idle Flyer absolutely flies home to win the final race at Randwick - Kensington, giving @ZacLloydx a double for the day! 💪@mcsmithracing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/XKFcp2tNuZ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 22, 2025

Smith had accepted with two runners in the opening event but decided to wait until another day with Placid Pearl.

Placid Pearl finished 10th in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington at her final start in her debut preparation with Smith keen to target similar races in the Sydney autumn or Brisbane winter.

“Placed Pearl is a nice filly,” Smith said.

“I just wasn’t happy with her on Monday so I just thought we’d wait with her.

“Her trial the other day and she was very good so she looks to have come back well.”

Smith will launch a two-pronged attack in the Pinatubo First Yearlings Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m) with Wind Of Change ($19) and Divine Vicky ($14).

Wind Of Change is having her second start in Australia after making the move across the Tasman while Divine Vicky is expected to bounce back after finishing six lengths off the winner first-up.

“Divine Vicky tied up the other day,” Smith said.

“It wasn’t the wet track but it forced us to push her back until Wednesday but she is going good.”

“Wind Of Change will be ridden more positively so she will be ridden up on the speed.

“We’ve only had her this prep but I think if she is ridden positively it will be a different result because it was just tricky to do that the other day from the draw.”

Pioneer Lass ($21) returns to the races in the TAB Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m) after pulling up with cardiac arrhythmia following her most recent run at Canterbury on December 20.

“We had to back off her and get her right again but she is going good,” Smith said.

“Her form prior to last start was great and while she wants a mile, it will be a good starting point for her there.”

Smith confirmed 2023 VRC Oaks runner up Aethelflaed is edging closer to her long awaited return with the mare set to trial at Newcastle next week.

Quinn’s Mate poised for first win

Trainer Robert Quinn is banking on a fitness edge to hold the key when his lightly-raced talent Wal’s Me Mate chases an important breakthrough on home turf on Wednesday.

Wal’s Me Mate is yet to taste success for the first time but gets his chance against a field of fresh rivals in the 2025 Stud And Stable Stable Awards Maiden Plate (1200m) at Warwick Farm

It’s a valuable opportunity to get on the board with the sprint test holding Super Maiden status with $100,000 prizemoney on the line.

Wal’s Me Mate heads into the assignment second-up after a bold fresh showing at Randwick Kensington last month where he was runner-up to King Of Dragons.

“He was awesome first-up and he ran into a horse (King Of Dragons) that was rock-hard fit coming out of some good maidens,” Quinn said.

“Maybe race fitness told on our guy the last 50m but we were thrilled with the run from a wide gate.

“On paper he probably meets a lot of them this start in favourable terms in his favour with six of them first-up and one a first starter so we will be hopeful having that run under our belt.

“He felt the burn late at Kensington late but strips fitter and hopefully that run will be bring him right to the boil.”

Bookies opened Wal’s Me Mate as a $3.50 favourite before the gelding drifted to $3.90 behind the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Conchiero ($3.10).

Quinn’s son of Headwater has already placed twice in his three starts to date and the Warwick Farm conditioner said he continues to improve from one week to the next.

“He has a super temperament and you can throw anything you want at him,” Quinn said.

“He is bombproof, albeit he is very lightly-raced and is still learning on the job.

“The draw is ideal for him on Wednesday and he’s got real natural speed and is a very kind traveller.

“I think there is a lot of things in his favour.”

Quinn is preparing to welcome back class mare Ces Soirees La from a short freshen up later this week with the daughter of Showtime nominated for Canterbury (Friday) and Kembla Grange (Saturday).

“We will wait to see what it looks like after the draw and acceptors,” Quinn said.

We are favouring Canterbury with Saturday being a 64 she would end up high in the weights.”

Originally published as Idle Flyer leads Matthew Smith’s charge at Warwick Farm on Wednesday