Flight Stakes Racing Tips – Bangkok Hottie to upstage key rivals in Fillies Group 1

Bangkok Hottie has won her past two starts, including the Tea Rose Stakes over 1400m last time, when she settled handy to a strong tempo and proved too good for Striking Alibi and Global Goal. She went more than seven lengths faster than standard benchmark and had produced a similar figure when winning at her previous start.

Striking Alibi lost few admirers when runner-up in the Tea Rose. She began awkwardly, encountered interference early and was held up approaching the turn before producing the fastest final 500m and 200m of the race to finish just over half a length from Bangkok Hottie. She comes into the Flight third-up and draws barrier two.

Global Goal was another length away in third and also comes into Saturday third-up, giving her every chance to peak as she gets to 1600m.

Queen's Gamble finished sixth in the Tea Rose after winning her previous two starts, while Sumac was seventh. De Armas rises sharply in grade from a Warwick Farm race and Parisest Magic comes directly from maiden company, leaving the established Tea Rose form as the obvious reference point.

Bangkok Hottie has the advantage of having already beaten the two horses alongside her at the top of the market and the likely race shape may again work in her favour.

The Flight Stakes is one of two Group 1 races at Randwick on Saturday and precedes the Epsom Handicap, while the Turnbull Stakes is set to be run and won at Flemington. 

The Flight Stakes appears to lack genuine early speed, which could hand Bangkok Hottie a significant tactical advantage.

Bangkok Hottie maps further forward than her two principal rivals and can potentially control the race or sit immediately behind the leader from barrier three. De Armas is another who can settle relatively handy.

Striking Alibi has drawn barrier two but has settled back in both runs this preparation, while Global Goal also maps towards the rear. In a seven-horse field without obvious pressure, both favourites risk giving Bangkok Hottie a head start when the sprint goes on.

That potential tactical advantage is a major factor in siding with the Tea Rose winner.

Bangkok Hottie can complete a hat-trick and claim the Group 1 Flight Stakes. She has already defeated main rivals Striking Alibi and Global Goal in the Tea Rose, producing a figure more than seven lengths faster than standard benchmark after racing close to a solid tempo. Striking Alibi certainly had excuses and produced the stronger late sectionals, but the shape of Saturday's race could again favour Bangkok Hottie. There is very little obvious speed in the seven-runner field and she should be able to settle ahead of her main dangers before getting first run. With two consecutive victories behind her and 1600m looking within reach, she is the one to beat.