Rosemont Stud's homebred Exceedance filly Flyer earned a shot at the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield on February 27 with a fighting win on debut in the Fierce Impact - Quality Yearlings 2024 Maiden Plate (1200m) at Sandown-Lakeside on Wednesday.
Ridden by Daniel Stackhouse for Jasonn Warren, Flyer tracked the early speed set by Bollon. Squeezing through a needle eye-opening at the 200m, Flyer defeated Last Druid), a Brazen Beau gelding out of Lonhro's stakes-winning sister Shannara, by a half-length.
The Brutal first-starter Barbaric Lad came with a barnstorming finish from near the tail of the field and is another exciting prospect for his first crop sire.
The lone filly in the field, Flyer is a half-sister to the Group III SAJC Breeders' Stakes winner Treasurway (Starspangledbanner).
"She has a neat economic action, and we have liked her the whole way through," Warren said.
"We were tempted to go to the (Blue Diamond) Preview a week ago, but I felt the sharp 1000m at Caulfield was a bit more hustle and bustle for her. I thought the bigger track here today, where she can balance up, was perfect for her and worth waiting for."
Flyer is the second foal of Miss Toorak Flyer (Toorak Toff), a talented mare for Jason Warren who won four and placed in six of her 14 starts.
Miss Toorak Flyer is out of an unraced half-sister to Secret Flyer, who earned Listed wins in the MRC Sir John Monash Stakes and VRC Kensington Stakes.
At the Magic Millions in January, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)/Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott/Kestrel thoroughbreds went to $650,000 for a three-quarter brother to Flyer, by Exceed And Excel, consigned by Rosemont Stud.
After foaling a Shamus Ward colt in August, Miss Toorak Flyer visited Starspangledbanner.
Flyer is the third winner from six runners for Vinery Stud's Exceed And Excel stallion Exceedance.
The Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner was quick off the mark, with Dublin Down winning the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate and Simply Tina winning on debut at Cairns.
