Medaglia d’Oro’s Flit Captures Thousand Guineas in a Thriller

Mark Smith - Saturday October 12

Saturday's Group 1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) was a three-horse war over the final 300 metres and it was Godolphin's race favourite Flit that edged out Missile Mantra and Southbank and had James Cummings contemplating a run in the Group I Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley in a fortnight.

Flit defeated Missile Mantra (Smart Missile) by a nose, with Southbank (Fastnet Rock) another short half-head away third. (images Grant Courtney)

Advertisement


Making her sixth start, Flit had just one previous win on her resume, the Group III Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Flemington, which she had to share with Ready Set Sail, and had little luck at her most recent start in the Group II Thousand Guineas Prelude.

Winning jockey Hugh Bowman felt that the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro (USA) would have won more comfortably had it been run at a more even tempo.

"She's a quality filly and it wasn't a real test today," Bowman said.

"It was just a sprint home so I don't think we saw the best of her.

"I think if it was a genuinely run event she would have won more comfortably."

James Cummings said three-year-old fillies have a good record in the Cox Plate

"We've got that decision to make," Cummings said. 

"We can let the dust settle on today. We have to enjoy the win and a target that has well and truly been pulled off.

I must say before getting through the Caulfield Stakes this year it's looking pretty open. I dare say she'd be comfortable at a mile and a quarter.

"She came into this today with half a win to her name. While she can keep making ground and having the run with flashing lights on them, there is something to be said for winners. To come here and win a Group One with such little winning experience says a lot about her future.

"She can always lay claim to being a Thousand Guineas winner and that's a great title for her to hold and a wonderful achievement for all of the staff."

Flit is a half-sister to stakes-placed Flow and is the best of three winners from Group III placed Redoute's Choice mare Glissade, a daughter of Group III winner Steflara.

Glissade has a weanling filly by Street Boss (USA) and was covered last spring by Frosted (USA).

Flit gives Medaglia d'Oro (USA) his 25th success at the elite level and follows Golden Slipper winner Vancouver, the Darley stallion Astern and NZ Derby winner Crown Prosecutor as Medaglia d'Oro's Australian-bred Group 1 winners.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Plenty of Quality in Condensed Book 2 of Karaka 2026
A graduate trifecta in the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) provided a timely reminder of the quality that can be found in Book 2 of NZB’s National Yearling Sale, and more of the same can be expected at Karaka 2026.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
There were just two heats for juveniles at Warwick Farm on Monday morning and both were won by Bjorn Baker trained youngsters with one of them the highest priced Australian sold yearling by first season sire Sword of State.
2026 Inglis Premier Now Online
The catalogue for the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale – the source of the past three The Everest winners that were offered at public auction – is now available online.
Aquis Celebrate Another Promising Winner
Aquis Farm have formed partnerships with many high profile breeders and one of those bore fruit at Warwick Farm on Wednesday when promising Medaglia D’Oro (USA) colt Minted carried the Aquis colours to victory in a brilliant front running win.
$2.2million Zoustar Filly Goes Two from Two
The highest priced yearling by champion sire Zoustar sold in 2024 when fetching $2.2million at Inglis Easter, Plaintiff was stepping out at Rosehill on Sunday for her second race start and kept her record perfect.
Campionessa Sister Adds to Mapperley Family of Success
Simms Davison is more than happy to play the long game with his broodmare gem Bella Carolina and her family.
US Debut 2YO Winner for Aussie Speedster Houtzen
Magic Millions talk is everywhere as we head towards January and the winner of the MM 2YO Classic in 2017 was I Am Invincible filly Houtzen, who produced a debut winning juvenile in the US over the weekend.
Glamour Savabeel Mare Orchestral Retired to Stud
The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained mare suffered an atrial fibrillation when running 10th in last month’s Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), and the decision was made to bring the curtain down on her racing career.
Sires With Winners - Sunday December 7
Here is the full list of 63 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Aussie Bred Wins HK Classic Mile
The $HK10million Hong Kong Classic Mile at Sha Tin on Monday was won in commanding style by exciting prospect Golden Sixty, an Aussie bred Medaglia D’Oro (USA) gelding, whose half-brother Quiet Riot was also a winner at Warwick Farm earlier in the day.