Undefeated Learning to Fly Wins G2 Reisling

Tara Madgwick - Saturday March 4

Talented Justify (USA) filly Learning to Fly was a short priced favourite to keep her unbeaten record intact in the $300,000 Group II ATC Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday, but the Annabel Neasham trained filly was made to work hard for it.

Learning to Fly edges out Facile to win the G2 Resiling - image Steve Hart

Facing just three rivals, Learning to Fly kicked up from her inside gate under Chad Schofield to hold Trapeze Artist filly Facile off the fence and the two waged war at the front for much of the race.

Learning to Fly gave everything under pressure and needed to as Facile would not go away and there was just a short half head between the pair at the finish with the daughter if Justify taking her record to three wins in as many starts with prizemoney of $1.4million.

 

Anna

Advertisement

bel Neasham admitted to a feeling of relief when Learning to Fly got the verdict.

 

“I was a bit nervous watching that first 100m, I thought Facile was going to cross, the worst place we wanted to be was locked away. Just had to keep nudging up and I think they've run pretty quick time the first half,” she said.

"Chad (Schofield) just said she was very relaxed in front, I don't think it's necessarily her preferred place. We saw a little bit in the Widden when she hit the front she was a bit green, but she's added another string to her bow being able to (lead).”

Facile was fifth at her previous run in the Inglis Millennium behind Learning to Fly when beaten a length and a half and is clearly on the improve.

"Facile is a really good filly. I know she hasn't won, but she was very good last week. She's rock hard fit so when she was coming to us I thought we'd have to be brave to keep our nose in front and she did just that,” Neasham added.

Learning to Fly is three for three under Chad Schofield - image Steve Hart

Chad Scofield was full of praise for Learning to Fly in what evolved into a very tactical race.

"Small field is always complicated but I didn't really want to lead just because of the nature of this filly, she's very laid back and with nothing to chase down she's quite lazy. If I didn't lead I was going to be in the box seat and that's the last place I wanted to be in a small field, so we kicked up and held the lead,” said Schofield.

"She relaxed well and she always just had a nose on Facile (second horse) and she was never going to win by a big margin, but luckily she did enough to win."

Learning to Fly was a $900,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Kia Ora Stud from the Coolmore draft and runs for a partnership involving both Kia Ora and Coolmore.

Learning to Fly as a yearling.

Learning to Fly was foaled and raised at Coolmore and is the second foal and first winner from Fastnet Rock’s Group III winning daughter Ennis Hill, who was named by James Bester after British athlete Jessica Ennis Hill, winner of the gold medal in Heptathlon at the London Olympic Games.

Ennis Hill is a sister to Lake Geneva, who won the Listed MVRC William Crockett Stakes and placed in the Golden Slipper and Blue Diamond as well as Acrobat, who won the Inglis Nursery (RL) at his only start.

Acrobat retired to stand his first season at Coolmore last spring and covered 188 mares.

Ennis Hill has a Pierro filly in the Coolmore Stud draft at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. (lot 117).

Ennis Hill has an I Am Invincible filly to follow and was covered by Snitzel last spring.

 

Advertisment

Race Result - Yarraman Park Reisling Stakes Gr2 1200m

Randwick Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:09.99
1
Learning To Fly
- 2f Justify (USA) x Ennis Hill (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: C Schofield 55.5
Justify
2
0.1
Facile
- 2f Trapeze Artist (AUS) x I Like It Easy (AUS) (Pierro (AUS))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: Tim Clark 55.5
Trapeze Artist
3
4.6
Cigar Flick
- 2f Churchill (IRE) x Palmateer (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: N Rawiller 56
Churchill
4
16.0
Mathkhoora
- 2f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Mossfun (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: S Clipperton 55.5
More Reading...
Justify's Learning To Fly Brilliant on Debut in Widden Stakes - Pierro Half-sister at Easter
Learning To Fly became the first Australian stakes-winner for Coolmore's Triple Crown winner Justify (USA) and put herself in the Golden Slipper picture with a courageous performance on debut in Saturday's Group III Widden Stakes (1100m).
Justify Filly wins $2million Inglis Millennium
Coolmore based Triple Crown winner Justify (USA) has a genuine superstar in his first crop of Australian two year-olds with the Annabel Neasham trained filly Learning to Fly scoring an outstanding win in the $2million Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
Exciting Return for Learning to Fly
Nearly a year away from racing has done nothing to dim the ability of Justify (USA) filly Learning to Fly.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.