Image: Racing Photos.
Former Victorian galloper Let Fly looks ready and raring to contest the Vale Peter Toohill Benchmark 70 Handicap (1600m) at Gatton on Friday.
Formerly of the Matt Cumani yard in Ballarat, the 6YO Free Eagle mare was a five-time winner down south, earning connections over $180,000 following wins at Pakenham, Werribee, Benalla, Cranbourne, and Moonee Valley.
Contesting listed company races in late 2024, Let Fly suffered a minor flexor tendon injury at her last start for Cumani, finishing 10th in the Murray Bridge Gold Cup.
Let Fly was then listed on Inglis Digital in November and ‘accidentally’ purchased by Corey & Kylie Geran for $900.
“It’s a bit of a strange one,” Corey Geran laughed.
“I only ended up paying $900 for her, but didn’t realise she had a tendon injury.
“Her form down there was really good and I thought it looked suitable for racing up here, so I put a bid on her, but when I realised she was injured, I didn’t bid again and was hoping I’d get outbid.
“I ended up with her accidentally, and when I got her up here, you couldn’t tell there was anything wrong with her.
“I spoke with Matt Cumani, and he said he would have put her back in work again after a spell, but the owners wanted to sell, and we ended up with her, so I just put her in the paddock and forgot about her.”
Seven months later, and now racing in Queensland with the Geran stable, Let Fly returned to the track at Dalby on Tuesday, June 3, making good ground to finish third when beaten just over two lengths in the Benchmark 70 Handicap (1400m).
That day, Corey Bayliss was in the saddle, and Let Fly found the line nicely despite being 10 months between runs and returning from injury.
A solid first-up run, accompanied by her proven second-up record (5:1-0-2), suggests Let Fly can feature at Gatton.
Bayliss (59.5kg) is again in the saddle, and connections have drawn favourably with gate 4.
“I had watched her replays before she went to Dalby, and I would have been surprised if she didn’t go good,” Geran said.
“She only had one trial at Warwick before the run, and normally I would trial them two or three times after a break, but she was so forward and fit, so we thought we’d go to the races with her, and she went well.”
The Geran camp is keeping a lid on expectations, but the stable is hopeful of another bold showing at Gatton.
“There’s no grand plan,” Geran said.
“Don’t get me wrong, I won’t be surprised if she wins at Gatton, but she goes into the mile second up, and she just might be a bit underdone.
“Still, Gatton will suit her from the good gate, and she’ll get every chance.”
The Geran stable has four chances racing at Gatton, including Topped’up (Corey Bayliss) and Want To Be Proud (Jaden Lloyd) in the 1100m Maiden Handicap and Crimson Warning (Taylor Marshall) in the 1400m Benchmark 58 Handicap.
Gatton’s Lockyer Valley Turf Club will host an eight-race program on Friday, with the first race jumping at 12.17pm.
Gatton tips – June 13
Race 1: #4 Mor Kompashyn
Race 2: #4 Ran Na Lady
Race 3: #3 Up The Creek
Race 4: #2 Jacka Stands Alone
Race 5: #3 Let Fly
Race 6: #11 Husson’s Revenge
Race 7: #3 Private Tender
Race 8: #4 Kamariya
Track conditions
Rail Position: True Entire Course
Track Type: Turf
Track Condition: Good 4
Weather: Fine
Track Information: Frost on track in the morning 12/6
Acceptances: 139
