TAKING FLIGHT

In the wake of Black Caviar’s Goodwood victory, only the diehards would have taken more than a passing interest in the race that followed at Morphettville – the Listed Centrebet Proud Miss Stakes.

However, Arctic Flight’s owner, Robert Crabtree – and for that matter the connections of the other eight horses in the Proud Miss – was watching the race with a keen interest.

After all, Arctic Flight had won her past two starts in Melbourne – at Caulfield then at Flemington – and had clearly earned her trip to Adelaide.

Besides, it was a good chance to pick up some black type … black gold for any filly owner with an eye on broodmare residuals.

And Rob had even more reason to cheer on his filly … you see, Arctic Flight is a full sister to his Group One winning sprinter, Magnus, who has been making plenty of inroads as a First Season Sire with four winners, a stakes winner and three stakes placegetters from his first 11 runners.

And it doesn’t stop there … Magnus (below) and Arctic Flight are both half siblings to Helsigne, dam of Black Caviar!

Unfortunately, Arctic Flight was beaten a lip out of third in the Proud Miss so she’ll just have to wait a little longer for her black type, but imagine her appeal at stud with those kind of bona fides.

Oh, and one final note – with Bel Esprit (sire of Black Caviar), Magnus (half brother to the dam of Black Caviar) and Moshe (brother to Black Caviar) all standing at Eliza Park this season, it should make the question as to where to send your mare in 2012 much easier.

Sorry … we couldn’t resist!