Matt Smith is hoping a return to mares’ company in Saturday’s $2 million Invitation at Randwick can revive Idle Flyer’s season after a frustrating campaign that has ruled her out of the Cox Plate.
The Warwick Farm trainer had considered the five-year-old for the $6 million Group 1 feature after her Queen Of The Turf victory over 1600m in April. Instead, she will attempt to regain her form over 1400m, with Smith considering reinstating earmuffs to help her settle.
Idle Flyer finished 14th in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap after being forced to race back and wide from an unfavourable draw. Smith now believes he should have avoided that race and is hopeful the mare can earn a chance to contest the Group 1 Empire Rose over 1600m at Flemington next week.
“I was looking to go the other way with her [in distance], then she had a bit of a sore hamstring after the Epsom, then I couldn’t back her up and had to come back, so I thought I’d just freshen her up for this,” Smith said.
“I’m hoping she will bounce back.”
Idle Flyer had earlier finished four and a half lengths behind Autumn Glow in the Winx Stakes before placing less than two lengths away from the same rival in the 7 Stakes. Smith said those performances had suggested she was close to returning to her best before the Epsom disappointment.
“I probably wasn’t happy with her first up. I knew she needed the run, then second up, she was a bit second up, then she ran really well against Autumn Glow and I thought we’re back in business,” he said.
Smith said settling had been a recurring issue and that he wanted to see Idle Flyer relax and finish strongly at Randwick.
“I just can’t write off that Epsom run. She pulled and, to me, she was relaxing better last prep,” he said. “I’ll probably put the earmuffs back on her Saturday. I just want to see her relax and hit the line, and hopefully we can get that right.”
Jason Collett will ride Idle Flyer from barrier eight. She is priced at $7.50, while fellow Group 1 winner Lazzura is the $3.20 favourite from gate 12.
Smith believes Idle Flyer remains capable of playing a leading role if she reproduces her best form, despite the setbacks of the preparation.
“If she found her best form, she’d be top three, no doubt,” he said. “She’s just got to bounce back.”
The trainer added that Idle Flyer’s constitution could allow her to run again in Melbourne if Saturday’s race goes to plan. “She’s a big-doing filly. She never leaves an oat, no matter what happens raceday, so she can cop a back-up I reckon,” Smith said.
