Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Exciting filly Wonderful To Fly continued her meteoric rise to fame and notched her eighth successive victory when she outclassed her rivals in the $20,250 Dulux Accredited Painters Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“She was always in control of the race,” said part owner and trainer-reinsman Shane Young, who added that she was on target to contest the $30,000 Country Oaks at Bunbury on Wednesday week.
Wonderful To Fly, the $1.20 favourite from barrier five, burst straight to the front and was not extended in coasting to victory, beating the $4.80 second fancy Im Themightylucy by a length and a half, rating 1.57.6 over the 2130m journey.
After a modest lead time of 37.7sec. and opening quarters of 32sec. and 30.3sec., Wonderful To Fly simply flew over the final 400m sections in 28.5sec. and 27.2sec.
“Her gate speed was really good,” said Young. “She is an exceptionally good filly who has all the strings to her bow. Apart from her gate speed she has strength and good manners. She can do what the other fillies can’t.
“After the Country Oaks I might give her another run before she starts in the $100,000 Westbred Classic on September 9.”
Then Wonderful To Fly would be set for the $50,000 Daintys Daughter Classic on September 23 and the $150,000 WA Oaks on October 14.
Wonderful To Fly now has amassed $333,783 in prizemoney from 19 wins and six placings from 29 starts. She is certainly proving to be the best pacer trained by Young, exceeding the performances of Rosies Ideal and Roadless Travelled.
Rosies Ideal won three in a row twice during her 49-start career of 14 wins, ten placings and stakes of $234,274 and Roadless Travelled won four in a row once and three in a row twice during his 94-start career of 22 wins, 26 placings and $183,666 in stakes.