Going one more time is not always the best move, but Tony Mcevoy’s experience said this one was worth it.
Co-trainer Calvin Mcevoy was unsure whether Natural Fling would handle another start in what was already a busy preparation however the three-year-old filly delivered the goods in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Sandown.
Thoroughbred Club Stakes | Natural Fling
“She’s too good, too quick. Natural Fling, a class act.” She’s a star 🌟
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/HEhdpozFmy https://t.co/cq87hE81kj— Racing.com (@Racing) November 14, 2026
“The query was 1200 (metres) whether she was at the end of her campaign,” Calvin said.
“Thanks to Tony. He said she’s the best filly and she’s in well in this race. It is the right race for her and a fantastic result for a great group of owners.”
“He felt that she wasn’t at the end and I thought that she presented as good as she has all campaign. I’ve got to admit that I was umming and ahhing whether we were doing the right thing running her again.”
Beginning her spring campaign winning the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 15 – three months ago, a third placing in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Sandown in September, a second placing in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) in October all lead to her taking on the star colts in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on Derby Day.
It was not to be in that clash won by The Next Episode but back to fillies grade here as well as finding conditions to suit, it all came together here.
Winning by 2¼-lengths on the soft surface, Natural Fling beat home Cavill Avenue ($51) with Nishioka ($31) a short-half-head away in third
Being a graduate of the Magic Millions Yearling Sale in 2025, Natural Fling ($3.60 fav) is eligible for rich races at Gold Coast in January but the McEvoy’s belief that she has genuine group one potential is swaying them to stay closer to home.
“There was a lot of thought and talk about The Sunlight race on the Gold Coast – a good money race, but we do feel that she is a genuine group one filly and for that reason we’ll put her away now and target an Oakleigh Plate and those sort of races,” Calvin added.
“She proved in the Moir that she is a weight-for-age filly and I have no doubt she’ll continue to get to that level.”
