Flirty the Flier

Presented in terrific order off a 54-day break, Flirty Gertey (3 f Thorn Park - Granma Gertey, by Danzero) made it two wins from only three starts with a dominant performance on Saturday Dec. 7 at Ellerslie.

Although up in grade to contest the Benchmark 65 1400 metres, following a four-length win on Oct. 14 over 1350 metres on Slow8 footing at Paeroa, she appeared nicely placed on paper and the $2.40 & $1.30 tote price suggested the public shared the sentiment.

Out smartly from barrier three for jockey Matt Cameron, Flirty Gertey received cover approaching the 1000 metres and edged into the open nearing the home turn. She levelled easily at the 300m and galloped clear to win by one and three-quarter lengths in a time of 1:24.2, last 600m 36.6, on Dead6 footing.

A filly with a beautiful nature, she possesses the necessary degree of professionalism and determination come race time and the win was due reward for the Flirty Gertey Syndicate owners after trainer Jason Bridgman had recommended she be freshened to target racing over the Christmas/New Year period following her win at Paeroa.

“She's a good filly,” said Bridgman. “We gave her a freshen-up of a couple of weeks after Paeroa, and although coming into the race looking spot-on you would still expect improvement having not run for a couple of months.

“On the score of natural ability, she won her Maiden pretty handily by four [lengths] and has come out in the next grade and been commanding again.

Of the filly purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $110,000 at the 2012 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling, from the draft of Mapperley Stud, Bridgman said: “I think she is above average, no question, and she is a lovely filly with a fair bit of scope. She relaxes well, has a lovely big stride, is getting better all the time, has a good cruising speed and can quicken off that, and I think she will run a trip.

“The test on faster ground remains as yet, but other than that she is a nice, progressive filly at this stage.

Bridgman said that depending how she comes through the race he may give consideration to Flirty Gertey contesting the Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m) on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.

“She is a filly that is going to get a crack at three-year-old stakes company,” said Bridgman.

Her dam, Granma Gertey (Danzero), finished second on debut in the Blue Diamond Preview (Gr. 3, 1000m) at Caulfield, and returned to the same venue off a spell to again run second in the Quizette Stakes (Listed, 1200m). Her grand-dam, In The Mist (Southern Appeal), showed terrific versatility in winning ten races from 1000m to 2250m and Flirty Gertey gives the impression of harbouring a similar kind of adaptability.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

 

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