Bryce Heys was the trainer of ill-fated stallion Spieth, a brilliant stakes-winning sprinter who died after just four seasons at stud, and he is also putting the polish on his best runner to date Flying for Fun.
A lightly raced four year-old mare, Flying for Fun was stakes-placed last autumn twice in good quality three year-old races behind Enriched and She’s Got Pizzazz.
Heys sent Flying for Fun to Melbourne for the Flemington Carnival and she finished third on Derby Day in the Group III VRC Kirin Ichiban Sprint and then she backed up on Champions Day to run in the Group I Champion’s Sprint.
Flying for Fun did not enjoy the heavy ground that day finishing unplaced behind Giga Kick, but she bounced back to top form on a good track at Rosehill to win the $200,000 Listed ATC Starlight Stakes (1100m).
Given a perfect ride by Zac Lloyd, Flying for Fun forged clear to score a stylish length and a half win taking her overall record to three wins and four placings from 11 starts with prizemoney topping $400,000.
"She deserved that win, she's been racing well but things just haven't gone her way," Heys said.
"In the Group 1 in Melbourne up the straight, she began to well and took it up and the conditions were treacherous that day so nothing went to plan.
"But good horses capitalise on good set ups and she did that today.
"It looked in the run that things were going to plan but it's a tough game this one, especially for battlers like me so you just hope it all works out.
"Full credit to Zac, he gave her a beautiful run in transit which enabled her to let down like she did."
Flying for Fun was foaled and raised at Yarraman Park for her breeder / owner Michael O’Keeffe, who also bred and sold the first winner on the card at Rosehill in Fireball, read about him here
O’Keeffe was also in the ownership of Flying for Fun’s sire Spieth and raced and retained her dam Vol Prive to breed with.
"She's a great story, this girl," an elated Heys beamed.
"We bought her father (Spieth) and we bought her mother (Vol Prive) so it's very close to home.
"The mum had ability but they (connections) weren't seeing it on the track and only hearing it from me but Michael (O'Keefe) made the call to breed with her and Flying For Fun is the result.
"It just makes it that extra bit special. It's a great story."
The second stakes-winner for Spieth, Flying for Fun is sadly the only foal of her dam Vol Prive, who died in 2022. A placed daughter of Sebring, she comes from a European female family with German Group I winner Empoli the best horse in the immediate family.
