Trainer Shane Young is hoping Wonderful To Fly can capitalise on a favourable draw in tomorrow night’s WASBA-Breeders Stakes (2130m) at Gloucester Park.
Wonderful To Fly’s hopes of winning the $50,000 event received a big boost on Tuesday, when she drew barrier one.
It comes off the back of creditable performance in the $300,000 Retravision-Fremantle Cup (2936m) when beaten 23m by Mister Smartee.
Young said the run over the longer trip hadn’t seemed to bother the mare this week.
“She didn’t have a hard run last week,” Young told Racing WA Harness.
“I thought how many times do you get to run in a Fremantle Cup, so I was probably having a bit of a throw at the stumps.
“I thought she went pretty good, but we will only find out after this next run if it has helped her.”
Young said he hoped to cash in on barrier one in the Group 3 event.
“I felt probably her last three or four runs suggest she’s more like the Wonderful To Fly of old,” he said.
“I’m not saying she’s right at the top of her game, but she seems to have improved a length or two.
“The start will be interesting, but we will push up as good as we can and more than likely lead if possible.”
Prior to her Fremantle Cup run, Wonderful To Fly finished third in the Empress Stakes (2536m) and beat Nullarbor placegetter Gee Heza Sport in winning a Free-For-All last month.
While Wonderful To Fly looks set to get a golden opportunity to win another feature race, she’s set to face strong opposition tomorrow night.
Penny Black has drawn alongside Wonderful To Fly in barrier two, while Aardiebytheseaside and Little Darling have drawn barrier five and 11 respectively.
Young indicated he was wary of the Barry Howlett-trained Little Darling, who won the Empress Stakes last month.
Penny Black is the $3.60 TABtouch favourite for the Breeders Stakes, while Little Darling ($3.70) and Wonderful To Fly ($4) are also considered among the leading hopefuls.
Tim Walker
Image - Pacepix