Flying Ellie Remains Unbeaten in Group Three Fillies Classic

Flying Ellie (NZ) (Art Major) never looked in doubt when powering to victory in the $26,000 Group Three Caduceus Club of Southland & Alabar Fillies Classic (2200m) at Ascot Park on Saturday.

The NZB Standardbred graduate made it a perfect two-for-two with a dominant performance in New Zealand’s first stakes race of 2023 for two-year-old fillies, scoring for trainer Nathan Williamson and driver Craig Ferguson.

Flying Ellie was purchased for $50,000 by Otago owner Melanie Kingsbury from the Tardina Stud draft at the 2022 National Yearling Sales at Karaka.

The filly’s victory came just days after the passing of Tardina Stud proprietor Tony Parker, who made an incredible contribution to New Zealand standardbred breeding.

Parker, together with his wife Anne, bred an outstanding lineup of top-level horses and offered yearlings at each of NZB Standardbred’s National Yearling Sales.

Flying Ellie completely dominated her rivals who allowed her to take the lead in the middle stages of Saturday’s feature.

When Ferguson had the chance to take the front, he seized the opportunity and from there Flying Ellie proved impossible to catch.

“Before the race I wasn’t sure how it was going to pan out, but I knew she had enough ability to overcome anything, really,” Ferguson said.

“The way it worked out, we ended up in front and in the end it was the best place to be.”

Ferguson and Flying Ellie kept their unbeaten record intact on Saturday after the pair earlier combined to win the filly’s debut earlier this month.

The Art Major pacer has given the driver the feel of an impressive type in their two wins together.

“She is lovely wee filly and Nathan has just got her pinpoint – she does everything right.”

“She feels like she has got a bit of bottom to her, so I think she will go on and do a job.”

Flying Ellie is from the family of the Tardina Stud bred pacers Sharp And Telford (NZ) (Butler B G) Hunka Hicking (NZ) (Miles McCool).

The Art Major filly is from Hi Ho Silver Lining (NZ) (Badlands Hanover), a half-sister to Hunka Huckling.

Flying Ellie joined Rub Of The Green (NZ) (Mach Three) and Your Good Fortune (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) as a stake-winners from Hi Ho Silver Lining with her victory on Saturday.