Flamebird shooting for black-type at Te Rapa

[Wandering Eyes]

Promising filly Flamebird (NZ) (Shooting To Win) will be out to add some valuable black-type to her record when she heads to Te Rapa on Saturday.

The daughter of Shooting To Win will contest the Gr.3 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and trainer Lance Noble is confident of a bold showing.

Flamebird takes a strong form line into the race, having won first-up at Pukekohe last month before finishing runner-up at the South Auckland track.

“Her last two starts have been pretty solid. Her win was good, she blew the start at her next one and ran home strongly,” Noble said.

“She is in pretty good form and I am happy with her. Third up this prep, it is nice timing.”

While pleased with his filly, Noble is still wary of her opposition.

“It is a step up, there are two or three nice three-year-olds in it,” Noble said.

“If she brings that (current) form to Te Rapa we think she will do well.

“Barrier four and Craig Grylls is in great form, so we have got a lot of things in our favour, we have just got to get the right run and I am sure she will run well.”

Regardless of this weekend’s result, Noble said the spelling paddock awaits Flamebird.

“We will probably put her aside after Saturday and look forward to bringing her back in the spring,” he said.

Meanwhile, a stable runner who is already enjoying a break is Group Two winner Polygon (NZ) (Highly Recommended).

The daughter of Highly Recommended was victorious on three occasions this season, including the Gr.2 Royal Stakes (2000m) and Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m), before she went to Sydney for a three-race campaign.

“Polygon came back from Australia a week after the (Australian) Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m),” Noble said.

“I had a look at her today and she looks well. The track on Oaks day was pretty puggy and she didn’t cop the track at all. We will give her a break and look forward to bringing her back next season.

“She did terrifically well. I think a little bit more development as a four-year-old and I think she will go on with it.”

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