Fly Messenger Fly upsets in Aston Commock feature

FLY MESSENGER FLY flew home between stablemate SUNSET SILHOUTTE, the 1-5 favourite, and rail-running SONNY T AND CHIPPY, to win the three-way photo for yesterday’s one-mile Aston Commock Memorial at odds of 12-1.

Sent off as a long shot after finishing fourth, three and a half lengths behind STOMP THE RHYTHM beating SUNSET SILHOUTTE by a short head at nine furlongs and 25 yards on April 8, FLY MESSENGER FLY benefited from a collapsing pace in the final half-furlong at the shorter trip.

THE CITADEL and SONNY T AND CHIPPY dominated the pace while SUNSET SILHOUTTE moved as a team with FLY MESSENGER FLY, making their bids at the leaders three furlongs out.

SONNY T AND CHIPPY fought off THE CITADEL before being attacked by SUNSET SILHOUTTE, who lost ground going wide off the home turn while FLY MEESENGER FLY enjoyed a clean rail run.

SUNSET SILHOUTTE got first run on SONNY T AND CHIPPY but flattened inside the final quarter-furlong, giving way to FLY MESSENGER FLY surging between horses to win by a head in 1:41.0.

SONNY T AND CHIPPY rallied along the rail to deny SUNSET SILHOUTTE the runner-up spot by a half-length.

Javaniel Patterson rode two of three winners saddled by Patrick Lynch on the nine-race card.

Chris Douglas got the afternoon rolling for Lynch with a runaway victory aboard GONE A NEGRIL at six furlongs.

Patterson closed Lynch’s three-timer with back-to-back winners, CATABA and POTENTIAL, at odds of 5-2 and 5-, in the fourth and fifth races, respectively.

Racing continues on Saturday.