Queen of the Air Reigns

Queen of The Air (3 f I Am Invincible - Flying Single, by Flying Spur) trounced her rivals in a fresh-up victory on 4 October at Waverley, when resuming in the $10,000 Liquorland Wanganui Maiden 1200 metres.

Presented in terrific condition, Queen of The Air had advantage from the outset, galloped boldly in front, and with her opposition off the bridle at the 400m she was a class above when romping home by three and three-quarter lengths under rider Samantha Collett.

On good footing, rated Dead4, she ran a smart time (1:09.6) and drifted in betting to return $3.80 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB tote.

Thought enough of to contest the Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1000m) at her second start, finishing fourth, Queen of The Air had finished second on debut and broke through at her fourth start.

“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 (Collett) and the manner of the win suggests she might be up to black type (races).”

Owned the Te Akau Supersonic Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), purchased by David Ellis for $240,000 at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Queen of the Air was high on the list during sales inspections.

“She was an absolutely beautiful yearling and we really loved her,” Ellis said. “By the boom sire I Am Invincible who stands for $192,500 at Yarraman Park, and fully booked, his progeny are just on fire. Her dam sire Flying Spur is doing a terrific job with his broodmares, and second dam Singles Bar (won 2 from 4) is by champion sire Rory's Jester.

“It's a fantastic pedigree. Singles Bar is the dam of champion stallion Not A Single Doubt (Redoute's Choice), so she is closely related and a filly with strong residual value.”

Although unraced, the dam Flying Single has now left five individual winners of 13 races, and a half-sister to Queen of The Air, Hussterics (Hussonet), has left the winning two-year-old stakes winner Lady Jivago (Beneteau).

“When we bought the filly, we thought she could be mature enough to race as a two-year-old and she went very close to winning first up, but there was a few things she was telling us to suggest she wasn't quite ready and we backed off her and Jamie has given her the time she's needed.

“I was impressed with the way she won and it's exciting to see the stable going so well, with Jamie on top in premiership having had 17 wins at an incredible strike rate of 3.2.

“We've got some nice chances at the weekend (Hastings and Riccarton), too. It's great to have Suppy (Shafiq) back after his holiday in Singapore, and it's really exciting for everyone in the industry to have Opie (Bosson) back riding on Saturday at Hawkes Bay. I've been working with Opie in the gym every day and he's in a great frame of mind. I've told him the hard work has just begun and I want to see him maintain a good riding weight and get back to his best form. He's a class rider and everyone wants to see him back doing what he does best.”

Queen of The Air was strapped by Kate Belsham.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz