FANTASTIC FLYER made it five wins for the season after winning at Chelmsford last night in a 6f handicap under Joey Haynes.
The Harbour Watch filly has been in good form all year but she disappointed last time out at Wolverhampton when missing the break that day and having to come wide. This time around, she was much closer to the pace, tracked the leaders over two from home and led inside the final furlong, running on well to win by half a length from Grisons.
The four-year-old filly was having just her 14th start, having made her debut as a 3yo last year. This year she has blossomed and started her winning spree back in April at Kempton off a mark of 45. She won her next start off 54 at Chelmsford. Following two fourths, she then had back-to-back wins at Wolverhampton off 60 and 65. Yesterday, she was winning off a mark of 70.
Her previous wins have all been over 7f but not for the first time, a stable runner has benefitted from being dropped back in trip.
Martin Dwyer was the successful jockey for her first two victories but Joey Haynes has been on board of late. He has struck up a good relationship with the filly and has recorded three wins on her from three rides.
Bred by Gracelands Stud, Fantastic Flyer is owned by the trainer’s wife, so congratulations to Lesley Ivory.
The winner was a welcome one for the stable which had gone over a month without a win. The horses were not running badly but equally, they were not all firing on all cylinders and it’s always nice to get back on the score sheet.
This was Harper Lodge Farm’s first win in September but its 37th this year, so all is on schedule to achieve a record 40 wins in a year.