Havtimewillfly lives up to her name

The aptly named Havtimewillfly (Art Major) aided by a super drive by Brent Barclay grew wings to win yesterday’s Macca Lodge/Nevele R Stud Southern Oaks heat at Ascot Park.

Barclay and Havtimewillfly challenged for the lead early with Indulge Me and Ideal Crown on her inside. When Indulge Me pushed up Barclay dropped in on her back.

“It was a hell of a drive by Brent, from starting from two from the outside,” trainer Brett Gray said.

With a lap to run Matty Williamson took favourite Miki’s Deal around to sit parked and these two fillies clapped the pace on. At the 400 Indulge Me and Miki’s Deal were going stride for stride with Havtimewillfly sitting pretty on their back. Barclay pushed his filly up the passing lane but it took her most of the straight to get past Indulge Me. At the end of the 1700 metres Havtimewillfly had a one and a quarter length margin over a brave Indulge Me with Miki’s Deal two and three quarter lengths back in third.

HAVETIMEWILLFLY REPLAY

“I was happy with Miki’s Deal (also trained by Gray) too, because they went a 52 (mile rate of 1-52.8). And I thought Nathan’s horse (Indulge Me) was very brave as well.”

The winning time was a smart 1-59.2 – a mile rate of 1-52.8. The time was a new track record for three year old fillies, bettering Treacherous Galls 2023 record of 2-01.2. It was the first time the 2-00 barrier for 1700 metres has been broken across all ages and sexes at Ascot Park.

“I didn’t think they’d go that quick.”

It was good to see the three year old run back into winning form. At her last start Havtimewillfly was disappointing finishing eighth, but there were excuses.

“She’s had a bit of a greasy heal problem but we’ve got on top of that.”

The win was the filly’s fifth in just ten starts.

“She’s very good over a short distance. That’s her cup of tea.”

Gray says both fillies will be aimed at Sires’s Stakes heats and Southern and New Zealand Oaks races.

It was a good day for Gray with Our Twinkle (Ultimate Machete) winning by seventeen and a half lengths.

“It blew me away. He was in the top-grade last week and the bottom grade this week so it was a fair drop in class. Nathan pushed the button on him and he kept going.”

Gray also won the last heat of the Southern Belle Speed Series with Hayley Jaccka, (Always B Miki) and earlier in the programme won with Blaze Lightening (Sweet Lou).

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink