She might be a $61 outsider but Pavitra is going to shape how the winner of the Flight Stakes is decided in a relentless style at Randwick on Saturday.
While there are group 1 winners in favourite Fireburn and She’s Extreme, as well as Princess Series stars Zougotcha, winner of the Silver Shadow Stakes and Tea Rose Stakes, and North Star Lass, winner of the Furious Stakes, they will all be chasing the Richard and Will Freedman-trained American Pharoah filly coming into the straight.
Will Freedman is hopeful of causing a shock with Pavitra in the Flight Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.Credit:Getty
Pavitra comes into the Randwick mile off wins in a Newcastle maiden and a Kembla Grange class 1, both from the front where she broke her rivals’ spirit to score easy wins.
“If any of these fillies are suspect at the mile, she will find them out,” Will Freedman said. “She will run the mile right out because she’s probably looking for further, and in testing conditions she will test their stamina. She is on her way to the VRC Oaks and she will stay, so they will have to get past her, and we think she could give them a fright.”
Add into the mix Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle, who is a master at controlling the pace, and a surprise might not be out of the question with Pavitra to continue the Freedman family’s tradition of group 1 winners.
“She is the first horse, we have developed together since starting the partnership with Richard. We think she will not be at her best until she gets up to 2000 metres and beyond,” Freedman said. “We use a lot of data and her stride length is 8.2 metres, which is the biggest in the stable, to give you a comparison eight metres is the stride length of a big horse.
“She is still learning but she is worth being given a chance in a group 1 because we think that is where she will probably end up.”
The Flight has turned into a great betting race with form coming from all angles, but punters have warmed to Golden Slipper and Sires Produce Stakes winner Fireburn since the final field was declared.
Gary Portelli decided to back-up Fireburn after she was a closing fifth in last week’s Golden Rose and as much as $7 was bet early in the week, and she is now the $2.45 favourite.
“She really bounced off that run last week, and it is a great opportunity to get another group 1 against the fillies,” Portelli said. “We know she will handle the soft track and I think we should be able to ride her a bit closer, and hopefully her class will come through.”
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