Chris Waller’s assistant trainer and racing manager, Charlie Duckworth, was trackside at Randwick on Saturday, “We were a bit nervous as any time you get a small field, you know it will be a tactical affair,” Duckworth told Sky Racing.
“She (Cigar Flick) was very good. She was game to take a run up the fence, and when she let down, she let down lovely. Cigar Flick has come back better this preparation; realistically the races she ran in her first preparation, she didn’t need to improve much to win today (Saturday).
“I think this victory is a good pointer that she’s in for a good campaign. Hopefully, we can aim up and do some bigger and better things.”
Collett, speaking after the victory aboard Cigar Flick, was also complimentary in his assessment of the filly, “I had plenty of horse under me, and I was waiting for something to happen; not much was happening, but I saw a gap up along the rail, and I was always going to win, to be honest.
“Cigar Flick was very soft. She dashed up probably 100 metres under hands and heels. She’ll be there in the spring.”
The Ingham Racing-bred and -raced filly won on debut at Canterbury in December last year and had a preparation that culminated with a placing in the G2 Reisling S. at Randwick.
Cigar Flick is the first foal from the Fastnet Rock mare Palmateer. She was a three-time winner and half-sister to the Group 1-winning filly Fangirl (Sebring).
Palmateer and Fangirl are daughters of Little Surfer Girl (Encosta De Lago), a seven-time winner who won twice at the Listed level.
Churchill will return to Coolmore, Australia, for a 2023 fee of $22,000 (inc GST).
Story Courtesy of - TTR AusNZ
Image Courtesy of - Thoroughbred News
