Mike Bass’ Summerveld assistant trainer Robert Fayd’Herbe made the two mares Fly By Night and Lanner Falcon big runners in Saturday’s Gr 1 Mercury Sprint, while admitting Night Trip was “taking his chances” over a trip too sharp.

They have all been doing well at Summerveld and Fayd’Herbe said, “Fly By Night has been doing well in KZN this season, but is drawn wide (12) so will have to come from off them. There is not much between her and Lanner Falcon.”

Fly By Night (pictured) ran on well in the Gr 2 Post Merchants over this 1200m course and distance a month ago for second, albeit from a good draw. In last year’s Mercury Sprint she ran on well for fourth despite being caught wide behind a slow pace early. She will be out to reclaim the crown she won two years ago when the race was run at Clairwood for the last time.

Lanner Falcon (Liesl King)

Lanner Falcon was a touch unlucky in the Gr 1 City Of Pietermaritzburg Sprint over this trip at Scottsville when having to be switched outward considerably to get a clear run. She only finished two lengths behind Mercury Sprint contender Real Princess there and was only 0,75 lengths behind Fly By Night. From a fine daw of four she has a chance on Saturday at a course where her fine turn of foot is a valuable asset. She last ran on Vodacom Durban July day in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes where she was cramped for room close to home and not disgraced. Fayd’herbe expected her to come from about midfield on Saturday.

Officially both mares have a tough task on paper as Laner Falcon is merit rated 107 and Fly By Night 105, way below the 121 rating of Talktothestars.

Fayd’herbe said about the 103 merit rated six-year-old Night Trip, who jumps from a plum draw of three, “It is a bit short for him, but he hasn’t run for a while so is fresh. We had to take our chances from the draw and he will then go for the Darley Arabian on Super Saturday (which he bids to win for the third time in succession). He seems to like a right hand bend and could maybe sneak into the quartet.”

Brandon Lerena is aboard Fly By Night, Stuart Randolph rides Lanner Falcon and Callan Murray rides Night Trip.

David Thiselton