Future Group 1 star? Natural Fling stamps herself as filly to follow

The grey, My Gladiola, gets it done in the Moir Stakes!

The first traditionally run Moonee Valley Group 1 of the 2026/2027 racing season has come to an end, and it was won by none other than My Gladiola for John McArdle.

Running excellently across 1000m at Sandown Hillside, the mare won her first ever Group 1, defeating Cavalry Girl and Natural Fling who finished second and third respectively.

But it was the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained Natural Fling who caught the eye of ex-jockey David Taggart though.

Speaking on SENTrack’s Saturday Trackside, the 2004 VRC Oaks-winning jockey exclaimed that the three-year-old filly is absolutely a horse for the future.

In fact, Taggart even stated that she can win a future Moir Stakes with another 12 months of experience under her belt, and should claim triumph in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) this year.

“The big talking point was the filly there, Natural Fling. She was huge,” stated Taggart.

“Mate, she’s a three-year-old filly and she's having her fourth start in a race. She's not seasoned.

“You look at the winner, My Gladiola, she's now a four-year-old mare. She kept running into Tentyris in her three-year-old races.

“Natural Fling has gone to open company after taking care of fillies in the Quezette Sakes at Group 3 level at Caulfield.

“She then goes and has to come from the outside gate (in the Moir). Yeah, she got there easily enough (but) give it another 12 months and she probably wins that Moir Stakes.

“She's going to be a horse going forward, but she's still learning. She was huge.

“She'll go to the Coolmore and win that.”

The ex-jockey also touched on fan favourite Giga Kick who underwhelmed in his return to racing, finishing 10th.

“Giga Kick was very disappointing. He was ridden cold and didn’t make any leeway,” Taggart said.

“Give him another run.”

When looking at the market for the Coolmore Stud Stakes on October 31, Natural Fling is now the $5 second favourite with Sportsbet, behind Guest House ($4.20).

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