FANTASTIC FLYER made it back-to-back wins with a victory at Chelmsford last night which saw the yard have a winner, a second and a fourth from four runners.
Previously an easy winner by three and a quarter lengths in a Classified Stakes at Kempton over seven furlongs, following an absence from the track of 241 days, the 4yo filly had gone up 9lbs in the handicap. However, that win was proven to be no flash in the pan, as the 9/2 joint second favourite followed up her polytrack success with another 7f all-weather victory, again with Martin Dwyer doing the steering.
The Flyer was drawn quite wide, ten of thirteen, the filly was on the outside but in the first four for the first half of the contest. She began to make her move at the two furlong marker and went to the front in the straight just over a furlong from home. Despite being pursued by the eventual runner-up, Clement, she ran on and was eased down on the line, a somewhat cosy winner by half a length from the other joint favourite.
This was another welcome but poignant victory for owner, Mrs K M Young, whose husband very sadly recently passed away. They have been major supporters of Harper Lodge Farm and not only owned Fantastic Flyer but bred her as well. While the filly will undoubtedly go up again, her owner/breeder will be hoping it will be rather less than last time!
The stable had two other last-time out winners running last night and although they weren’t able to do a Fantastic Flyer and follow up their victories, they ran well. Nicky Baby was a very creditable second from a very wide draw under Sophie Ralston while Gregorian Girl, also drawn wide, was fourth under Robert Havlin. So, all in all, not a bad day at the office for Harper Lodge Farm.