Let's Fly puts herself in contention for next month's Group 1 Queensland Oaks with a dominant victory at Randwick
Let's Fly lived up to her name with a runaway Royal Randwick win that just might have earned her a start in the Queensland Oaks.
Then 45 minutes later, Casual Connection also put daylight between himself and his chasing rivals to put himself into the Brisbane Cup conversation.
For a Saturday Sydney off-carnival meeting without a stakes event, some of the dominant and classy winners including Let's Fly and Casual Connection showed they were on target for interstate feature race raids.
Promising three-year-old filly Let's Fly made a mess of her rivals in the Chalouhi Handicap (1800m), scoring by a widening margin of nearly six lengths.
Let's Fly ($31) raced in a forward position, took the lead around the turn then exploded away to win by five-and-three-quarter lengths from classic hopefuls She's A Dealer ($10) and Hurstville Zagreb ($4.20 favourite).
Will Freedman, who trains in partnership with his father Richard, said Let's Fly's win has given connections reason to consider setting her for the Group 1 $700,000 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on June 7.
'I thought she ran really well last week when she over-raced for the large majority of it and we thought, on a heavy track and a week back-up she might settle better,' Freedman said.
'I know the question will be, will we go to Queensland for the Oaks but we will make that decision in the next week or so.
'We have always had a high opinion of her, she ran in the Thousand Guineas last spring, and she has matured a lot this preparation.
'But she has come to hand a lot quicker than I thought. I thought an Oaks was way too ambitious but she has beaten them like a good thing.'
✈� Let's Fly makes a mess of them all at Randwick! @NockBraith | @R1CHARDFREEDMAN | @willfreedman pic.twitter.com/DwJnrhugwA
â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025
•
Let's Fly is part-owned by Sky Sports Radio's Racing HQ presenter Dave Stanley who for once was almost lost for words after the race.
'This is my first Saturday winner in town, it's a great thrill,' Stanley said.
Master New Zealand trainer Roger James is still hopeful of getting She's A Dealer to the Oaks despite being well-beaten by Let's Fly.
'My jockey, George Rooke, said She's A Dealer normally sprints and puts the race to bed quickly but she couldn't today,' James said.
'She's a high class filly, we like her a lot, but we have only ever seen her on much better tracks than this. She got weighed down on that track and the winner had taken flight by then.
'But we came here to try and do a job to get into the Queensland Oaks and she's earned another $29,000 for her second.
'They have changed the entry qualification for the Oaks to average earnings per start and she has only had four starts now so that might get us quite close.
'What we will do is prepare her here and then go up Wednesday night before the Oaks. If she doesn't make the field she will get on the plane to go home.'
� Casual Connection relishes on the heavy track and brains them at Randwick! @jsargentracing | @MollyBourke7 pic.twitter.com/9q8VKDeho9
â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025
• 'Very easy watch': Agarwood dominates juvenile opener
Then it was Casual Connection's turn to make a statement with his strong staying effort to win the PF Civil Handicap (2400m).
Ridden by star apprentice Molly Bourke, Casual Connection ($11) raced away to score by three lengths from Wuddzz ($4.80 favourite) with just over a length to Asgoodassobergets ($6.50).
Trainer John Sargent revealed Casual Connection won the same Randwick race last year before earning a start in the Group 2 $400,000 Brisbane Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm only to finish unplaced behind Alegron.
Sargent said Casual Connection could go back for a second crack at the Brisbane Cup on June 14 if the track is rain-affected.
'We ran him in the Brisbane Cup last year but the track was too firm for him,' Sargent said.
'If we happen to get a wet track for the Brisbane Cup next month, then I would give him another chance in the race.
'He's a tough stayer but he's at his best on rain-affected going. Molly rode him very well because the horse needs plenty of galloping room to build his momentum.
'He's not a sit-sprint type, he needs to get into his rhythm because he stays all day.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Queensland Derby delay to benefit Statuario but not so much Femminile
A week can be a long time in horse racing – just ask Femminile 's trainer Phillip Stokes. He wanted his talented filly to run on a heavy track in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm last weekend but unfortunately for him, persistent rain and poor visibility for jockeys meant the feature race was rescheduled to this Saturday. In stark contrast, fellow Pakenham trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne are delighted that Derby favourite Statuario will race on a good surface on Saturday in the $1m contest. And the husband-and-wife team has another ace up its sleeve in 'Derby King' John Allen, who is again booked to ride the grey gelding at Eagle Farm. The Irish jockey flew to Brisbane for just the one ride in the Derby last week but he didn't even get to jump on Statuario as the rain kept falling and the jockeys voted to call it a day after five races. He will be back in the River City on Saturday, hoping that his grey wizard can turn the tables on Femminile, who narrowly beat a late-charging Statuario in last month's South Australian Derby (2500m). Allen has won 20 Group 1s in Australia and, remarkably, nine of those have been in Derbies, including the 2019 Queensland edition for the Stokes-trained Mr Quickie. 'Yes, that definitely gives me a lot more confidence,' Emma-Lee Browne said of Allen's superb record in Derbies. 'He's a very patient rider and that comes from having a background as a jumps jockey with experience over the further distances. 'But the horses seem to settle really well for him which I think is crucial in these kind of races.' • It's in the blood: Front Page up for the fight in Moreton Cup Stokes, who organised the travel to the Gold Coast for both Statuario and rival Femminile, said the rescheduling of the Derby was 'not ideal'. 'We went up there hoping for a wet track but the races were called off,' he said. 'We would've loved to have run on a Heavy 10 because I know she likes it. 'Look, I still think she can run well (on Saturday) but is she on the up? No. 'Hopefully she can dig deep and pull one more out.' Statuario is the $6 favourite for the Queensland Derby ahead of three others in single-figures in the market – Belle Detelle ($7), King Of Thunder ($8) and Femminile ($9.50). Allen said it was 'frustrating' not getting to ride last Saturday but 'not too disappointing' given that Statuario had a far superior record (8: 3-2-0) on dry tracks. 'It's a very even race with no real standout,' Allen said of the Queensland Derby. 'I'm fairly confident Statuario is in as good form as anything in the race and he's trending the right way. 'I feel like he's the horse with the most upside at this stage.' Allen will be hoping to recapture his 2019 form in Queensland when he won Group 2 races The Roses (Etana) and The Q22 (Kenedna), which were the cherries on top of Group 1 victories in the Derby (Mr Quickie) and Doomben Cup (Kenedna). As for the nickname 'Derby King', Allen would love to win on Saturday to cement that reputation as the middle-distance magician. 'I haven't won a Derby in three years (2022 Australian Derby on Hitotsu) so it'll be good to top up the tally on Saturday,' he said.
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Ange Postecoglou's sacking sparks backlash directed at Spurs in wake of Europa League win
Tottenham Hotspur's decision to sack Ange Postecoglou has sparked sympathy and outrage as the football world has digested the news. Postecoglou's sacking came two weeks after he delivered Spurs their first silverware in 17 years with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final. The 59-year-old Australian was two seasons into a four-year contract at Spurs. England manager Thomas Tuchel, himself sacked by Chelsea a year after winning the Champions League in 2021, was among those to comment publicly on Spurs' decision. "It just shows you that it is not only about titles, "Tuchel said. "You can survive seasons without titles if your connection, the support and the belief and the trust between the coach and the club is strong. Then you can overcome seasons without titles. "If there is slight disbelief, if there are concerns, if the trust is not there anymore, obviously then it is sometimes not even enough to win a trophy after so many years." Tuchel paid tribute to Postecoglou. "I have [the] biggest respect for him," Tuchel said. "He's a huge character. He brought a trophy. He said he will deliver in the second year and he did. "But this is part of the job. We are responsible for the results and we are responsible for the development of the team so, whether we like it or not, sometimes it is us who has to take the full responsibility." There was an emotional response from one of Postecoglou's players, full-back Pedro Porro. "Thank you for everything, boss," Porro wrote on Instagram. "For mentoring me early on, helping me settle into the club, and trusting me out on the pitch. "I'll always be grateful for the way you led us, defended us, and kept us going through all the highs and lows. "Above everything, you gave us one of the greatest moments in the club's history and for that, you'll always be celebrated. Wishing you all the very best, boss." Soccer pundits came out backing Postecoglou, as they criticised Spurs' decision. Alan Shearer, the former England and Newcastle striker, posted on X: "What a stupid game football is!!!!" Another retired England forward, Chris Sutton, said: "To get someone in who wins them silverware, then straightaway get rid of him, that sums up modern football, doesn't it? It's absolute bonkers." Tottenham supporters went online in their droves, mainly to vent their fury at the club's decision. One fan posted to Sky Sports: "That night in Bilbao earned Ange the right to continue it next season. Gutted." On BBC Radio, Spurs fan Jack Teasdale from Macclesfield, said: "It just doesn't make sense to me. We wait 17 years for a trophy, we finally win a trophy in Bilbao and then we sack him and we're back to square one again. It's a shambles to be honest." AAP
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Super Netballer and Diamond Cara Koenen opens up about violence against women
Cara Koenen is universally adored in the Super Netball world. The foundation Sunshine Coast Lightning player has precision under the net and a charismatic approach to life both in and out of the shooters' circle. But beneath the surface, the 29-year-old has been consumed by an experience that she says rocked her existence. Koenen is a victim of sexual assault, and she is speaking out against gendered violence. Netball is the highest participation sport for women and girls in Australia, a fact that fills Koenen with pride. But with it, comes a set of heart-sinking numbers on the sideline, one in four of them will have experienced domestic violence. Koenen knows her position at the top level brings power to speak to a captive audience. "We know that sport has the power to change attitudes and shape culture. So, we want to be role models, not just in how we play, but in how we lead," Koenen said. "I had an experience that really rocked my whole world to be honest." Koenen says that experience affected her confidence, and from there, came a flow on effect. Koenen says a big part of gendered violence is the misconception that it will happen at the hands of a stranger. "Statistically, the perpetrator is way more likely to be someone known to you, or an intimate partner. "We hear so much about how our actions lead to these violent acts … that rhetoric that there's something you've done wrong that led to the abuse. "That was something I really grappled with." Koenen says it impacted her netball and the ability to study. "It became all-consuming in all parts of my life … I couldn't escape it," she said. Koenen says concentration and sleep were her two biggest struggles after her experience. "My confidence on court was deteriorating and training and playing was no longer an escape or a place I could use to distract myself," she said. Koenen sat with the experience on her own for a period of time, because she felt embarrassment about what had happened but eventually found the strength to reach out to friends and family, who she says she is "extremely grateful for." Do you have a story idea about women in sport? Email us abcsport5050@ Koenen notched up her 100th national league match in April this year, is studying a Masters of Molecular Imaging Technology and sits in the top five for offensive rebounds in this season's Super Netball competition, but says it is important to know that domestic violence doesn't discriminate. "You never think it will happen to you," she said. "We grow up learning how to keep ourselves as safe as possible, even in Australia which is supposed to be one of the safest countries in the world. But even that isn't always enough." Her words follow a powerful statement released by the Australian Netball Players' Association (ANPA), in which they released a social media video calling domestic and family violence the most urgent social issue facing Australian women. One woman is killed every nine days by a current or former partner. In 2024 alone, 37 women lost their lives to gendered violence and over 4,600 women were hospitalised due to family and domestic violence — an average of 13 women every single day. And domestic and family violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children in our country. The decision to become publicly vocal about the issue stemmed from a general survey conducted on SSN players, with the results showing over 98 per cent of players surveyed felt the need to address domestic violence. "I went back-and-forth a few times about whether I wanted to speak to my own personal experience," Koenen said. "But statistically there are many more people playing on an SSN court who are far more affected by this than we know." Koenen also challenged the public to examine the seemingly "harmless" behaviours and attitudes that could perpetuate a future of violence in younger generations. "It starts with those little misogynistic, patriarchal behaviours or comments, like telling a girl [a boy] pulls your hair because he likes you. "They seem harmless, but they contribute to this broader issue. It's our role to educate ourselves and others about what is and isn't acceptable." Koenen also urges men to have a part in the conversation. "We need to create a society where everyone calls out harmful behaviour, where we empower each other and especially the little girls who look up to us, to speak out and say, 'that's not okay', Koenen said. "No matter what that little voice in the back of your head tells you, it's never anything to do with the victim. "It has everything to do with society and how we educate people and provide safe spaces for those who've suffered through domestic and family violence. "No part of what happened to me was my fault." Koenen also emphasises that if you're not hearing about it, it doesn't mean it's not happening. "We haven't yet created a safe enough space for people to be able to come forward with their experiences," she said. "And ask for the help they need and deserve."
