Young star returns in Wonderful race

Exciting mare Wonderful To Fly makes her much anticipated return to racing in Friday night’s SEFS – The Asset Finance Specialists Pace (2130m) at Gloucester Park.

WONDERFUL TO FLY.
WONDERFUL TO FLY. Picture: Hamilton Content Creators

The four-year-old's had her most recent start in the Group 1 WA Oaks last October, where she was unplaced behind Taking The Miki.

Prior to the Oaks, Shane Young well and truly stamped herself as the dominant three-year-old filly with feature wins in the Diamond Classic and Westbred Classic.

Wonderful To Fly tuned up for her return with a trial at Pinjarra earlier this month.

Trainer and reinsman Shane Young said he was happy with how his stable star had returned from a break.

"She appears to be pretty well," Young told The Trots WA.

"She had the one trial, which she went pretty well in and she's worked well since.

"It's time to go to the races and see where she's at."

Young said the winner of 21 of her 34 career starts had strengthened up and hoped to be able to drive her differently this campaign.

"She's definitely got bigger and has built up," he said.

"Her work is comparable to what she was doing last time in as a three-year-old.

"I'd like to drive her a bit differently going forward and hopefully we can get her to sit-sprint.

"At worst I think she is the same horse we saw last time in."

It will be a thorough examination for Wonderful To Fly on her return to the races, with Monday's Golden Girls Mile placegetters Nevermindthechaos and Sheez Our Hope both set to have their second run in the space of a week.

Tuesday's barrier draw fell in favour of Wonderful To Fly, who will start from barrier four, while Nevermindthechaos and Sheez Our Hope drew to her outside in five and eight respectively.

Although Young hoped to drive Wonderful To Fly quieter when he got the opportunity this campaign, he said he may need to be positive from the draw this week.

"The draw looks good for us and gives us options," he said.

"I'd imagine Sameplace Sametime would look to sit from barrier one, but I don't think Simply Shaz has the speed to cross from two.

"That might allow us to work forward and get the front.

"My mare heads to the race fresh and well, while Nevermindthechaos and Sheez Our Hope had the run in the warm weather on Monday and it might take a bit out of them.

"We will get a good guide where we sit this week."

Wonderful To Fly is set to tackle the $75,000 Empress Stakes on March 31 at Gloucester Park second-up and will return to the same track four days later to tackle the heat of the APG 4YO Gold Bullion.

Meanwhile, Street Hawk has been installed TABtouch favourite for Friday night's Preux Chevalier Classic (2536m) at $1.85, while WA Derby winner Tricky Miki is on the second line of betting at $2.70.


Racing and Sports