A tough performance by Mangaroa Flyer saw the five-year-old High Chaparral gelding take the opening race at the Australian Turf Club's Light Fingers Stakes Day at Warwick Farm to record successive wins on successive Saturday's.
Bowman took the initiative from the barriers sending Mangaroa Flyer forward from barrier eight as the field went up the main straight for the first time. They were leading passing the winning post for the first time followed by Palasport, Moonstones and Diamond Jim.
Mangaroa Flyer settled into a good rhythm taking the field across the back of the course and the order did to change until Guymer decided he needed to be closer to the rail moving forward to take over the lead with 1000m to run.
The field packed passing the 500m and Palasport took over as they went through the corner for the main straight again. Bowman was not losing touch was the new leader tried to take a break from the 300m and away he went again on Mangaroa Flyer.
Palasport and Mangaroa Flyer left the rest of the field and settled down to decide who could stay the best and Mangaroa Flyer won convincingly passing Palasport with 150m to run and then going away to win with 1 1/2L in hand.
Palasport held second just as comfortably over Tropicana Girl. The time of 2.28.46 on the Dead 4 track was a new class record, with the final 600m in 35.92. Mangaroa Flyer paid $4.00 on NSW TAB.
Not only was this win Mangaroa Flyer's second win in succession, but it was also his third run in 10 days after a third placing over 2000m at Kembla Grange on February 8.
“We did not make a decision on running him until this morning. We just walked and trotted him all week and his constitution allows him to keep running,” said Waller.
Waller was cautious about autumn plans for Mangaroa Flyer with his thinking leaning more towards winter staying races than stiffer BMW Sydney Carnival tasks.
“What he has shown is that he is tough and he might not have that brilliance but he will keep fighting all day,” he said.
“He has always given me a good feel,” said Bowman.
“We have just tinkered around with tactics trying to find the key to him and Glyn found the key last start. Chris has done a good job, I said to go back to a mile and ride him quiet, and he has gone to 2000m and won and then 2400m and won so the horse is racing in consistent form and he deserved the wins.
“He has certainly got more wins in store,” he said.
Mangaroa Flyer is out of the Casual Lies mare No Fibs and this was his fourth win from 14 starts. With seven placings he has now earned stakes of $109,706 for owners Raffles Thoroughbred Racing Syndicate managed by Mr KT Yap.
