Ken Casellas | Photo: Gloucester Park Harness Racing
One of the most significant axioms in harness racing is that colts and geldings will prove the masters of the fillies.
But astute Pinjarra trainer-reinsman Shane Young has a magnificent filly in Wonderful To Fly, who possesses the sheer ability and the speed, strength and determination to prove that the assumption of male invincibility is not all-encompassing.
“It’s generally true that fillies don’t beat colts and geldings,” said Young after driving Wonderful To Fly to a runaway victory in the 2536m The Titanium Man Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“But she seems to be the exception to the rule. She stamped her class a bit more tonight.”
Wonderful To Fly, the $2.90 favourite from the outside barrier in the field of nine, was restrained back to last after $15 chance Hoppys Way began speedily from barrier seven to burst straight to the front. But the pace slackened considerably, leaving Young to make a snap decision and send Wonderful To Fly forward after about 1000m.
Wonderful To Fly made a lightning move to improve from last to first in the space of 200m. She then set a solid pace and the final 400m sections were run in 28.4sec. and 27.9sec. as she won by just over five lengths from Hoppys Way, rating 1.59.3. This took Wonderful To Fly’s record to 22 starts for 12 wins, six placings and $221,185 in prizemoney.
“It was a change of plans,” said Young. “I didn’t want to be using her, but with High Price ($4.40) galloping in the score-up, and with the lead time run in a very slow time I took the option (of charging forward), and luckily enough she was capable of doing it (getting to the front).
“You are never certain, but she showed that she can do it. She is very quick; we’ve always known that. We drove her differently tonight from what we’ve done before, giving her a real crack and giving her, her head. And she was able to peel off some good quarters after that.
“She is going really well, and, hopefully, she will keep in the zone. She will race in an event for three-year-olds next Friday night, if the race holds up, before running in a heat of the APG Gold Bullion the following Tuesday, followed by The $50,000 final of that event ten nights later.”