The Group 2 Flying Stakes at tonights harness racing meeting at Addington may have been short on numbers but every runner was a quality three year old.
The All Star barn seem to have frightened a lot of smart three year olds into hiding if the five who lined up in the Flying Stakes tonight is any guide.
Hug The Wind with Natalie Rasmussen in the bike flew the gate from barrier one but was immediately challenged by Art Union and Dexter Dunn.
They flew the first 200 metres before Dexter eased Art Union into the trail with the other three runners in single file.
With 1200 metres to go Tim Williams eased Have Faith In Me out into the death seat outside Hug The Wind and Follow The Stars and Mark Purdon immediately hopped onto his back in the one by one.
The tempo increased down the back straight and as they passed the 400 metres mark they really sprinted.
Hug The WInd led for home but was quickly grabbed by Have Faith In Me and he was immediately challenged by Follow The Stars who had the last shot at his stablemate but came up a half a head short.
Hug The Wind held on for third in front of Brilliant Strike but they were over three lengths behind the first two.
Have Faith In Me paced the 1950 metres in 2:21.4, a mile rate of 1:56.6 with the last 800 metre in a very quick 54.8 and the 400 metres in a sizzling 26.7 which considering the strong wind they ran into twice was a great effort.
Tim Williams was all smiles post race.
" He just continues to get better and better with every race"
" I came out and sat parked because he is such a laid back horse I was confident he would relax out there and he did."
" He can muster high speed really quickly when you ask him and that's what got him home tonight," Tim said.
Mark Purdon was philosophical about Follow The Stars suffering another defeat.
" He has gone huge but the other horse just keeps improving."
" I am really pleased with how Follow The Stars is going but I think a couple have caught up to him at three."
" He is still a big chance in the Derby the way he is going," Mark said.
Natalie Rasmussen was pleased with the run of Hug The Wind.
" That was his first run for three weeks and he will derive a lot of benefit from it."
" He is probably a touch behind the other two but with the right run he could be right there in the Derby, "Natalie said.
The way the All Stars barn runners went in the Flying Stakes it is hard to see the winner coming from outside their three runners tonight.
Harnesslink Media