A small field of nine three-year-old fillies will contest Saturday’s G1 Flight Stakes at Randwick.
Unfortunately, the race has been decimated by scratchings and we’re now left with a field of six.
That includes the hot favourite Autumn Glow who was found to have a minor chip in her right front knee on Friday morning.
Autumn Glow looked as close to a good thing as you could see for Chris Waller, but the champion trainer still holds a strong hand with new joint favourite Lady Shenandoah and Lazzura left to represent the stable.
Gai Waterhouse has won the Flight Stakes an amazing 11 times including last year with Tropical Squall but will be without a runner in 2024.
For our thoughts on every filly, check out our comprehensive 2024 Flight Stakes preview below. (Prices current at time of publish)
2. Snow In May (5)
Price: $2.70
The O’Shea & Charlton-trained filly won on debut at Wagga in May before being spelled.
She recently returned to the races with a strong Class 1 win at Newcastle before producing an eye-catching performance in the Tea Rose Stakes last start.
The daughter of The Autumn Sun jumped out of the ground in the final 100m to finish 1.3 lengths second to Autumn Glow.
Admittedly Autumn Glow was eased late, but this filly clocked the quickest final 400m and 200m splits of the race so the rise to 1600m will suit.
Whether she has the brilliance of the favourite remains to be seen, but she certainly can give this a shake.
3. Lazzura (6)
Price: $4.00
The Chris Waller-trained filly won her first two starts including the Listed Arrowfields Woodlands Stakes before being spelled.
She fought bravely when resuming in the G2 Furious Stakes where she finished 0.7L third behind Manaal.
The daughter of Snitzel raced in restricted room early in the straight of the Tea Rose Stakes but let down just as well as any horse in the race to finish fourth by 1.7 lengths.
She’ll strip fitter third-up and with a touch of luck from an outside gate looks a good each way play.
4. Lady Shenandoah (4)
Price: $2.70
The Chris Waller-trained filly raced greenly in her first preparation that saw her finish second in the Listed Bill Carter Stakes at Doomben.
She was sent for a spell following that run and the break appears to have done her the world of good in terms of development.
The daughter of Snitzel resumed in the G3 Ming Dynasty Quality last start and produced and powerful finish to win by a head.
She’ll have taken great benefit from the run and looks ready for a mile second-up.
The stable has an opinion of her, and she can certainly aim up in this year’s Flight Stakes.
6. Miss Busslinger (3)
Price: $20.00
The rank outsider of the field and it’s easy to see why given she has just the one win from seven starts.
Kris Lees’ Saxon Warrior filly has been well beaten in easier recent races and this looks beyond her.
7. Harlem Queen (2)
Price: $13.00
The Nathan Doyle-trained filly has run on well to win both her starts this preparation.
However, those races were her maiden and a Class 1 Handicap and both margins were around a length, so she’d need to improve considerably to be competitive here.
9. Powers Of Opal (1)
Price: $11.00
The John Sargent-trained filly caught the eye charging home to finish a close third over 1400m in a Midway Handicap last start.
She’s still a maiden so I’m happy for her to go around without me.
The Judgement
This race looked at the mercy or Autumn Glow but with her unfortunate injury the race has opened right up.
I’m going with Lady Shenandoah who looks to have an abundance of upside.
She finished off beautifully to win the Ming Dynasty Stakes last start and given she only had the one trial leading into that race, she’ll have come on in leaps and bounds.
I like that she comes through a different race than those that faced Autumn Glow last start.
Zac Lloyd should be able to settle ahead of his main rivals and that should make this filly the one they have to run down.
Selections:
1st – Lady Shenandoah (4)
2nd – Snow In May (2)
3rd – Lazzura (3)