The three-year-old fillies contest what must be one of the best renewals of the $500,000, Group 1 Heineken 3 Surround Stakes (1400m), certainly since the race was elevated to Group 1 status three years ago, with three Group 1 winners at the top of the market.
The Flight Stakes winner Funstar resumes to face off against Thousand Guineas winner Flit with Blue Diamond Stakes winner Lyre ready to attack behind them and Probabeel and Emeralds waiting for the slightest hesitation from the top.
Godolphin’s Flit was the opening TAB market favourite at $3.60, but then she was overtaken by the Waller trained Funstar who firmed into $3.50. However, by Friday afternoon they were back level pegging at $3.50.
Behind these two is Jamie Richard’s Probabeel at $4.20 after opening at $5.00. The Savabeel filly has yet to win at black type level, but she finished second to Funstar in both the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes and the Flight Stakes in the spring.
Then comes Godolphin’s Lyre at $6.50, out from her opening at $6.00. This seems value as the Lonhro filly came home very well in her first race of her campaign when second to Flit in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes over 1200m at Randwick on the 15th.
Flit winning the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes with Lyre immediately behind her and Kiamichi in third, picture Sportpix.com.au
Sixth at the 800m and 400m under Nash Rawiller as the stable mates sped along up front, the filly came through the length of the main straight with a strong, progressive run that was better with every stride. Certainly she did not trouble Flit with the margin 1 3/4L, but it was good work.
There is the question of Lyre coping with the additional 200m which co-trainer Sam Freedman commented on earlier in the week.
“If there is a question it ois the 1,400m, but she has raced as though she will handle it,” he said.
“She looks amazing, her coat is great, she is bright, she is going into this in great shape.”
Which is a warning for the market leaders. Kerrin McEvoy rides with barrier two, which is another warning.
Funstar, by Adelaide, lived up to her name in spring. Compact and athletic she has won four from five and relished the challenges. Stepping out at 1400m against her elite opponents with one run under their belts is a stiff task though, not assisted by barrier 13 for James McDonald.
Waller said this week that he is planning to stretch Funstar out further in distance out to the 2000m of the Group 1 Vinery Stakes Stakes at Rosehill on March 28th.
“She has come back in very good shape, slightly stronger than in the spring which is what you would expect with the natural progression of a three-year-old filly starting to reach maturity,” he said.
First up Funstar has won one from two and second up two from two. If she is vulnerable then this is the race with the wide draw and perhaps a preparation angled towards later in the campaign
Inside at barrier seven is Flit with Hugh Bowman, and her ability to start well and follow that up with an even stronger finish was clearly on display in the Light Fingers Stake as trainer James Cummings commented.
“One of the things that impressed me most was her ability to take control of her own destiny. A lot of horses can settle near the lead in a good race and fail to finish off,” he said.
“She was able to do both.
“This time in she has maturity and toughness on her side, and she was able to demonstrate both of those qualities.
“If she continues in this vein, I believe she will be competitive in any race we choose for her,” he said.
Flit, by Medgalia d’Oro, has to be favoured with the stablemate closer than last time.
The Surround Stakes is Race 6 at 3.50pm.
Note - Emeralds scratched from the Surround Stakes with a bruised heel.
Late Friday afternoon TAB tweeted:
Flit ($3.60 into $3.30) has surged back into favouritism in tomorrow's Group 1 Surround Stakes at @RoyalRandwick! pic.twitter.com/Zz2f9ofuKG
— TAB (@tabcomau) February 28, 2020
