Justify’s Learning to Fly Wins Again in G2 Reisling

Justify’s Australian standout Learning to Fly (2f Justify x Ennis Hill, by Fastnet Rock) stayed undefeated in her third start on Saturday with a victory in the Grade II Reisling Stakes over six furlongs at Randwick.

One of four horses in the Reisling field, the Annabel Neasham trainee again showed her versatility when taking up pressured pacemaking duties after sitting back in her last victory. Having to battle Facile throughout the run, the pair put on a show for the crowd with Learn to Fly coming out ahead by a nose at the line to take her earnings to $1.4 million.

"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),” Neasham commented post-race.

Regular jockey Chad Schofield wasn’t worried about the margin, noting that Learning to Fly does best when she has a target to aim for. In such a short field, Schofield was forced to send her to the front.

"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.

Now aimed squarely at the Grade I Golden Slipper on March 18, Learning to Fly is one of the favorites for that premier race.

The A$900,000 yearling purchase by Kia Ora from the Coolmore draft races for an ownership group that includes Kia Ora Stud, Coolmore, Westerberg, and J Poulin.

She is the second foal out of Grade III winner Ennis Hill, who is a sister to Listed MVRC William Crockett Stakes winner and Golden Slipper and Blue Diamond placer Lake Geneva and to Coolmore stallion Acrobat. Ennis Hill’s yearling Pierro filly is set to go through the ring at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale this year.

In the Northern Hemisphere, undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify is a stand out second crop sire with his eight graded stakes performers the best of his generation. He is also the sire of six stakes winners with 11 stakes performers and four graded stakes winners to his name.