Flight Stakes Goal for Sebring Filly

Gai Waterhouse has a great record of winning the Group I ATC Flight Stakes at Randwick and she and co-trainer Adrian Bott believe they have a contender in Sebring filly Pandemonium, who beat the colts to win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Sent to Melbourne in the autumn, Pandemonium came up short when chasing a start in the Group I MRC Blue Diamond, but has come back a much stronger filly this time around.

She broke her maiden at Kembla on August 10 with a dominant three and a half length win over 1400 metres and was taking a considerable jump in grade to take on Benchmark 70 company three year-olds over 1600 metres.

The class rise proved no hurdle with Pandemonium travelling smoothly in front for Rachel King before kicking away down the running to open up a four length lead.

Eased down to the line she won comfortably by a length and a half and connections now have their eyes on a far bigger prize.

“It was great to see her step it up a notch and beat the boys,” said Adrian Bott.

“She’s filled out and strengthened into her frame and I think the mile is probably her ideal distance.

“We’ll look towards the Tea Rose (Group II on September 16 over 1400m) and then into the Flight Stakes (Group I).”

A $300,000 Magic Millions purchase for Gai Waterhouse from the Lomar Park draft, Pandemonium is one of five winners from Tapanappa, a Giant’s Causeway (USA) half-sister to stakes-winners Naden and Catango.

Pandemonium has won two of six starts earning nearly $70,000 with more wins in store.