Pittsburgh fly’s for Alpara Lodge

A homebred for Greg White’s Alpara Lodge, talented Street Cry (IRE) fillyPittsburgh Flyer claimed a big scalp when she outgunned last year’s Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes winner Earthquake to win the Listed VRC MSS Securities Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.

Prepared by Lee and Shannon Hope, Pittsburgh Flyer was ridden patiently by Joao Moreira, who pounced late to snatch a long neck win in the 1100 metre dash.

It was the second run back from a spell for Pittsburgh Flyer, who showed stakes potential with a fourth in the Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes last spring.

“She was fantastic,” said Joao Moreira.

“She gave me a great feel in the parade ring. They went hard in front and the trainer asked me to be patient and let her have that last dash at them.”

Pittsburgh Flyer has won two races and placed three times from six starts earning over $110,000 in prizemoney.

Bred and retained to race by Alpara Lodge, Pittsburgh Flyer is the best of three winners from Champion South African 2YO Filly Warning Zone (SAF), who won the Group II Greyville Golden Slipper.

Sadly for Alpara Lodge, Warning Zone died in 2014.

Pittsburgh Flyer is the 89th stakes-winner for Darley shuttler Street Cry, who also died last year.