Fly To The Stars (GB)

The rise of Darby Racing flagbearer Iowna Merc over the summer months has been the stuff of dreams for his many owners and he took another step forward on Saturday when winning the $300,000 Group II ATC Ajax Stakes (1500m) in a thriller.

With $600,000 in the bank and four placings from her first five starts Capitalist filly Memo was ‘Australia’s best maiden’ until she went to Rosehill on Saturday where she kicked the bridesmaid tag to the kerb with a late charging win in the $250,000 ATC Magic Night Stakes (1200m).