The curtain came down on Kennedy Oaks Day at Flemington when Brett Brebble guided the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Flying Evelyn to victory in the $300,000 Group III Network 10 Red Roses Stakes (1100m) at Flemington.
The 3yo daughter of Not a Single Doubt had been winless since making a successful career debut at Moonee Valley in February. In a driving finish, Flying Evelyn finished fast to defeat A Very Fine Red (Deep Field) by a half-length with a further half-head back to Seradess (Astern) in third.
“She’s been pretty consistent. Last start she was in a real mood, so we put the tongue tie on and the cheekers on,” Sam Freedman said.
“She just loves the straight. Every time she’s been down the straight she performs well and Brett has a nice association with her.”
Prebble bok-ended the programme after winning the first on Plucky Pirouette (Brazen Beau).
“She was going to be dead unlucky,” Prebble said.
“I think I’ve been unlucky on her twice or maybe three times. I deserved the win on her, and the owners deserved the win.
“It got a bit tight, and she got squished pretty badly. Once she got her head in there and had galloping room, she really tried hard and charged to the line.”
Purchased for $500,000 by John Sadler Racing from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Flying Evelyn is a half-sister to stakes-placed Cristal Eyes (All Too Hard).
She is the best of four winners from as many to race out of the More Than Ready mare Champagne Run (USA).
A daughter of the Group 1 Coolmore Classic winner Bollinger (Dehere), Champagne Run (USA) is a three-quarter sister to the 2005 VRC Victoria Derby winner Benicio, and a half-sister to Grade II Louisiana Derby winner Friesan Fire and Group II MRC Sandown Guineas winner Villermont and to the dam of Aim.
Champagne Run has a 2yo filly by Pariah and a yearling filly by The Autumn Sun. She was covered by The Autumn Sun again last year.
Flying Evelyn becomes the 78th stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud’s pensioned Not A Single Doubt.