Simply Fly to determine his summer path after Keith Noud

By Glenn Davis

Simply Fly’s performance in the Listed Keith Noud at Doomben on Saturday will go a long way to resolving a dilemma for co-trainer Rex Lipp.

Simply Fly was not paid up for the Magic Millions after going through the Gold Coast sales in 2019.

However, the four-year-old can claim a spot in one of the Magic Millions races in January if he can gain a wild card entry during the Queensland summer carnival.

Lipp is aiming Simply Fly for the Group 3 George Moore Stakes at Doomben on December 4 and is keen to earn an automatic entry for next year’s Stradbroke Handicap through the $250,0000 The Gateway at Eagle Farm a week later.

“He’s not eligible for the Magic Millions but he can get in if he wins a wild card race,” Lipp said.

“He’s headed to the George Moore first and I’ll wait and see how he performs in the Keith Noud before deciding if he’s a chance for the Magic Millions.

“He’ll run in The Gateway as that’s ballot free into the Stradbroke next year.”

Lipp has warned Simply Fly has taken further improvement and was looking for 1200 metres after finishing second in his first two runs over 1000 metres this campaign.

“He’s improved a lot and there’s more improvement to come but he’s definitely looking for 1200 metres now,” said Lipp, who co-trains with Nicholas Hahn.

“So far he’s had a trouble-free campaign and he’ll be very competitive.”

Meanwhile, next month’s Group 2 Villiers Stakes over 1600 metres at Randwick is on the radar for promising Gold Coast sprinter Morethannumberone if the gelding completes a hat trick of wins at Doomben this Saturday afternoon. 

Trainer Michael Costa is confident the five-year-old will be competitive as he chases his fourth win in five starts for the stable in the Benchmark 85 Handicap over 1350 metres.

Costa bought the son of More Than Ready for $30,000 at an Inglis online auction after he won one race in nine starts for his previous trainers Gary and John Moore.

“He was a low-class horse in the south and after we bought him and I gelded him and gave him a decent spell,” Costa said.

Morethannumberone hasn’t raced for two months since winning a 1400 metre Class 3 at the Gold Coast in September.

“His last win was ultra-impressive and The Villiers looks a nice race for him if he continues in his current form," he said.

“I’m really happy with him and he’s still got some residual fitness so I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t run a big race."