Sargent’s filly proves she’s up for the Flight

IT WAS no idle boast but trainer John Sargent was adamant brilliant filly Four Moves Ahead has improvement after her determined win at Randwick on Saturday.

Four Moves Ahead showed an admirable will to win to mow down her rivals and score a narrow win in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m), but Sargent maintains the best is yet to come.

“She’s only just coming right, she’s getting rid of her winter coat and is improving with racing,’’ Sargent said.

“The aim this campaign has been the Flight Stakes in two weeks and she is right on target. I think she is on an upward plane and peaking for the Flight.’’

Four Moves Ahead ($4.80) gave jockey Nash Rawiller a treble when she won by a long head.

It was a three-way finish with Mallory ($4.60 favourite) elevated to second after her jockey, Jason Collett, successfully protested against the Tim Clarkridden Swift Princess ($11) when the former was crowded for room in the last 100m.

Sargent has every reason to approach the fillies’ classic with real confidence with Four Moves Ahead.

“It was good to see her back in form, onwards and upwards from now,’’ Sargent said.

“Her first couple of runs haven’t all gone her way but I’m not making excuses.

“The Flight and that is the one we are after because it is a Group 1.

“I’ve got no worries about her at a mile. Emeralds is her half-sister and she won at a mile in the Angst Stakes.’’

Rawiller was full of praise for Four Moves Ahead who appreciated the soft track.

“When Swift Witness kicked there again at the 150m, I was a little concerned but just with that bit more sting out of the ground she really dug deep,’’ Rawiller said.

“She’s a very good filly.”