Queen of the Air Clears Maidens in Style

The Informant reports:

Well-related filly Queen Of The Air has tightened from $41 to $31 for next month's Gr. 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton after clearing maidens in style at Waverley (yesterday).

Ridden by Sam Collett, the daughter of I Am Invincible led throughout the Liquourland Wanganui 1200 and kicked away impressively in the straight to win by three and three-quarter lengths. She clocked 1:09.65 on a Dead4 track.

“It was a nice win by a progressive filly and we've had a bit of time for her all the way through,” said trainer Jamie Richards.

“She has a few little issues that take a bit of managing, but the owners have been very patient and allowed us to take her along quietly. Now that she's more mature, hopefully we can see her work through the grades.

“I thought the track might be firm enough for her, but she seemed to kick off it nicely and any rain about in the next four to six weeks would assist her.

“We owe huge thanks to the team at the middle barn, along with some vet work which has been instrumental in getting her where she needs to be. It was nice ride by Sam, and the manner of the win suggests she might be up to black type.”

The breakthrough win came at Queen Of The Air's fourth start, having previously been strongly supported when second on debut to Masque, fourth in the Listed Wellesley Stakes and fifth at Rotorua in April.

Queen Of The Air is out of the Flying Spur mare Flying Single, who is a half-sister to the classy galloper and successful sire Not A Single Doubt.

Queen Of The Air was a A$240,000 yearling purchase on the Gold Coast by Te Akau principal David Ellis.