Cup hope returns to action

A horse who has overcome more than his share of adversity will open a cup campaign at Avondale on Wednesday.

Flyinby kicks off a new campaign in the AJC On Facebook Handicap and while expectations are modest over a trip well short of his best, black type targets are in place for later in his preparation.

“He hasn’t had a run since November and he hasn’t had a trial or a jump-out so obviously he will improve,” trainer Leanne Poulson said.

“He’s never won a race at 1400 metres, but he’s well and certainly not showing his age.”

Flyinby has been making up for lost time over the last two seasons after a serious tendon injury as a three-year-old.

“It took three attempts to get him back and that’s why he didn’t race again until he was six,” Poulson said.

Now eight, Flyinby won the Te Awamutu Cup last preparation and also added a middle distance success at Avondale before he was given a break.

“He won the Rating 85 race on Counties Cup day last year when the meeting was run at Avondale,” Poulson said.

“He was balloted out of the Counties Cup so I would like to get him in that this year – that’s the immediate target.

“On the way he’ll have a couple of mile races at Ellerslie as long as the tracks aren’t too heavy, and they shouldn’t be in September, and probably the Te Awamutu Cup again.”

Alyssa Schwerin will ride Flyinby and his stablemate Airman, who looks a genuine winning chance in the AJC Life Members’ 1200 following a close last-start second on the course.