A better barrier draw will help the Chris Waller trained Fiesta turn the tables on race favourite Miss Fabulass in the Group 1 $500,000 Darley Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Fiesta, above in purple colours, has drawn a better barrier in the 2018 Flight Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Fiesta jumped out of gate ten last start when second to Miss Fabulass in the Group 2 $200,000 Darley Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Randwick two weeks ago but Waller can see the I Am Invincible filly getting a better run from barrier six in the thirteen horse Flight Stakes field.
“Miss Fabulass beat us fair and square last start but we think the one thing in Fiesta’s favour on Saturday is the better gate,” Waller said.
“She drew barrier 10 last start and barrier 8 before that and had to overcome difficult runs. We are stepping up to the mile but we have had this race in mind since her first up run, that’s why I’ve ridden her a little more conservatively, to help her settle early in her races.”
Fiesta has been ultra-consistent so far in her career and has only missed a place once from nine starts and Waller is pleased with the way the filly has returned in her three year old season after a positive start as a juvenile.
“She is the benchmark of the three-year-old fillies. She is very consistent and was not only going at two but has also come back at three,” Waller said.
Fiesta stepped out as a three year old for the first time with a win in the Group 2 $200,000 Darley Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on August 18 before running second to Pure Elation in the Group 2 $200,000 Darley Furious Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on September 1 and then second again in the Tea Rose Stakes.
Hugh Bowman has been aboard Fiesta for her last two starts and will stick with the filly in the Flight Stakes.
Kerrin McEvoy has been the only jockey to partner Miss Fabulass in all of her four race starts and will give the Kris Lees trained filly every chance from barrier three i the Flight Stakes.
Pre-post betting for the Flight Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au has Miss Fabulass as the $2 favourite while Fiesta is on the third line of betting at $7.50.
Sandwiched in between the Tea Rose Stakes quinella at $6.50 is the John O’Shea trained Pretty In Pink who will jump from barrier five with Tye Angland in the saddle again.
