2022 Flight Stakes preview & best bets | Saturday, October 1

The Flight Stakes (1600m) is the first of three Group 1 races to be run and won at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The $750,000 race has drawn a field of 10 three-year-old fillies, headlined by Golden Slipper Stakes winner Fireburn.

Fireburn shares the top of the market with last-start Tea Rose Stakes winner Zougotcha, with the pair quoted at $3.20. The Champagne Stakes winner from the autumn, She’s Extreme, is a $7 chance, whilst Wolverine ($8) is the only other runner at a single-figure quote.

Look for North Star Lass and Pavitra to lead this field up and make this a genuinely run 1600m event, with Zougotcha out of barrier two following the leaders wherever they go. Fireburn, She’s Extreme and Wolverine will all settle in the second half of the field.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2022 Flight Stakes.

On the quick seven-day backup from the Golden Rose, the Gary Portelli-trained Fireburn looks the one to beat in the Flight Stakes. Outside of eventual winner Jacquinot, this Rebel Dane filly was arguably the run of the race having settled at the rear of the field and charging home to make up a stack of ground over 1400m. The extra 200m she gains here on Saturday will only benefit her chances and despite finishing second to She’s Extreme in her only start at 1600m in the Champagne Stakes during the autumn, Fireburn should get the race run to suit her. Her turn of foot is up there with one of the best in the country for a three-year-old and with the likes of North Star Lass and Pavitra bounding along out in front, look for Fireburn to be lighting up the centre of the track and finishing right over the top of her rivals.

She’s Extreme got the better of Fireburn in their only meeting at the mile and despite her price, looks to be the main danger to our top tip in the race. The Extreme Choice filly grows another leg when racing on rain-affected ground and considering she may have a tactical advantage over Fireburn, she might take some beating. She found the 1200m too sharp first-up in the Furious Stakes and struggled to find clear air at a crucial time in the Golden Rose last week. There’s little doubting her ability and if there’s any weaknesses in Fireburn’s armour come Saturday, She’s Extreme might just be the one to expose them once again.

Zougotcha could not have been more impressive this campaign, having won the Silver Shadow Stakes when beating subsequent Golden Rose runner-up In Secret and coming out and winning when under pressure in the Tea Rose. She will have a camp on the leaders throughout and if Fireburn and She’s Extreme get too far back, Zougotcha will be the one to pounce. North Star Lass will take some catching out in front and you cannot discount Wolverine and Madame Pommery at each-way prices.

2022 Flight Stakes selections & best bets

• 1

  FIREBURN

• 2

  SHE’S EXTREME

• 3

  ZOUGOTCHA

• 4

  NORTH STAR LASS

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