Saturday’s $1 million Shorts at Randwick is a date apprentice jockey Mollie Fitzgerald is eagerly awaiting, marking her debut ride in a Group race aboard the capable mare Flying For Fun.
The 24-year-old, who is indentured to Annabel and Rob Archibald, has previously ridden in three Listed races but is thrilled that trainer Bryce Heys has entrusted her with the reins of his dual stakes winner in a race renowned as a key audition for The Everest.
“It’s an awesome opportunity. A very ‘pinch myself’ moment,” Fitzgerald said.
“She’s a beautiful mare. I’ve had the benefit of riding her in a trial, but it’s so exciting. It’s what you dream of, to be in these races, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Flying For Fun, a daughter of Heys’ former top sprinter Spieth, captured the Starlight Stakes (1100m) in November and later demonstrated her quality by winning the Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) in March.
Her subsequent runs in Adelaide resulted in two unfortunate Group 1 placings; she surged home to narrowly miss out in the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) and was unable to gain a clear passage when midfield in the Goodwood (1200m).
She has a strong record when fresh, and while the outside draw in barrier 12 presents a significant challenge against horses like Joliestar, Headwall, and Everest slot holder Ninja, Flying For Fun has shown promising form in two lead-up trials, with Fitzgerald aboard for the initial one.
“It was her first trial and she wasn’t asked to do much, but I had a lot of horse underneath me,” Fitzgerald noted.
“James (McDonald) trialled her at her second trial and he was pretty happy with her as well. You can feel the difference being on those quality horses.
“She’s a model of consistency. She tries very hard, and she loves her racing. Towards the end of her last prep, she was ridden a bit more quietly and you do need luck from back there, but she has raced in good races and been honest.”
Fitzgerald’s booking for Flying For Fun is a one-off arrangement for now, but she is determined to make the most of this significant chance and hopes it might pave the way for more opportunities.
“It’s just an awesome opportunity. Hopefully everything goes right on Saturday, and we’ll see what comes of it,” she remarked.
Fitzgerald’s Randwick engagements also include the Luke Pepper-trained Brave Xena in the Highway Handicap (1000m), marking a reunion after she partnered the mare to victory in a similar race during the summer.
“There’s not much of her, but she’s beautiful,” Fitzgerald said.
“I won a Highway on her, and she’s honest, so I’m looking forward to getting back on her. She’s got a tricky draw (barrier 12), but she’s probably good enough to overcome that.”
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