A winner of his last four starts, Flying Artie gelding Flying Destiny has really come into his own since being trained out of Michael Freedman’s Gold Coast stable, adding Saturday’s $160,000 Listed BRC Chief De Beers Stakes (1110m) to his solid record for Darby Racing.
When the gates crashed opened, it was the Tony Gollan trained Golden Boom that went forward to lead with last start Listed Hawkesbury Gold Rush winner, and race favourite Zealously sitting in second, while jockey Jamie Melham was content to sit in fourth, slightly wide aboard Flying Destiny.
With Golden Boom doing what he does and getting out and running along, the 6yo Spirit of Boom gelding took the field into the home straight, but when the runs started to come, it was clear there wasn’t enough in the tank to hold on.
Zealously wasn’t making up the required ground needed, while Flying Destiny and Pereille where highlighting their chances down the outside.
Hitting the lead at the 100m mark, Flying Destiny held off the outstanding late change of Matt Laurie’s Soft Love who came from the tail of the field, to win by a half length margin.
Holding on for third was Pereille, just ahead of Zealously and Barber with a length and a quarter separating the first five across the line.
Michael Freedman’s stable rep Shelley Simmons was on course.
“She (Jamie Melham) just rode him an absolute peach,” said Simmons. “It was just really good, super. He's glowing at the moment, he's so happy and he's just thriving in the stable and loving life. Four in a row!”
“Honestly, he's so happy. Like, we just keep him ticking along. He goes to the beach weekly, and he's just such a happy horse.
“She's (Jamie Melham) just such a beautiful rider. She's patient, just got him in the perfect spot and you couldn't have asked for a better ride."
When asked where Flying Destiny may head next, Simmons was unsure.
“I'm not sure, to be honest, we might have to change the plans.”
With Melham sticking strong after having ridden him to success last start in the Bat Out Of Hell at the Gold Coast, the jockey was very complimentary of the stable.
“They've (Freedman Racing) done a good job to keep him up and going for so long and so well. I said it last time, I'm in love with this horse, he's just a little gentleman.”
“They went pretty quick and when he was tired on the turn and he wanted to put his ears back he actually tried harder.”
Having his first start at stakes grade, Flying Destiny took his record to nine wins, and a further 13 placed efforts from 33 stats with earnings just shy of $500,000.
Purchased for $50,000 by Darby Racing from the Murrulla Stud draft at the Inglis HTBA May Yearling Sale, Flying Destiny was initially purchased for $35,000 by Mossvale Pastoral Company from the Murrulla Stud draft at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Bred by T & C Nolan, Flying Destiny is the fourth winner, and first stakes winner from four to the races out the imported, unraced Noverre mare Courting Destiny (IRE), a three-quarter-sister to G3 winner Dearly (dam of Listed winner True Cause), half-sister to G1 winner Balletto (dam of G3 winner Frost Point and Listed winner Villanesca).
Chris Waller Racing will offer Miss Shanti, the Pierro half-sister to Flying Destiny at next week’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale as Lot 611.
Flying Destiny became the 14th individual stakes winner for Blue Gum Farm’s G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Flying Artie who will stand at a fee of $ $14,850 (inc. GST).
