Lee Freedman is hoping Fly Higher can defy a moderate fillies record and give him his second Bill Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night.Only six fillies in the last 50 years, including just one in the last 20 years, have been successful in the Group Two 1600m feature which Freedman first won with outstanding colt Encosta De Lago in 1996.Mindful of the task ahead, Freedman is giving Fly Higher a chance against the males but expects she will be better placed against her own sex in the Grou

Lee Freedman is hoping Fly Higher can defy a moderate fillies record and give him his second Bill Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

Only six fillies in the last 50 years, including just one in the last 20 years, have been successful in the Group Two 1600m feature which Freedman first won with outstanding colt Encosta De Lago in 1996.

Mindful of the task ahead, Freedman is giving Fly Higher a chance against the males but expects she will be better placed against her own sex in the Group One Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 15 and the Group Two Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 1.

"I wouldn't say she couldn't win but it is always hard for fillies to beat the colts at Group Two level," Freedman said.

The daughter of Lonhro from Don't Say Halo mare Betrille has raced five times for two wins, including a last-start victory over Memorise in a 1509-metre event at Moonee Valley on September 13.

Should she hold her winning form she would be first filly to land the Stutt since St Clemens Belle dead-heated with Helm 10 years ago.

Wellington Hammer, who was awarded the Stutt after Acumen was disqualified in 1985, Surround (1976), Denise's Joy (1975), Storm Queen (1966) and Lady Sybil (1960) are other fillies to win the race in the last 50 years.

Special Harmony, who was second in 2003, and Courtza, third in 1989, underline the difficulty fillies have had winning the Stutt.

Freedman said the combination of the inside gate and the Valley circuit suited Fly Higher.

"She has drawn one which is a nice gate and at least she is proven at the track," Freedman said.

"She will get her chance as she is going to get a lovely run."

Dwayne Dunn will ride Fly Higher who TAB Sportsbet quoted as third favourite at $6 behind Whobegotyou ($3) and All American ($5.50).

Trainer Danny O'Brien and jockey Steven Arnold, who combined to win last year's Stutt with Barbaricus, team up again with Lucky Thunder on Friday night.

Generously quoted at $31, the colt was stakes-placed at his race debut in the Blue Sapphire at Sandown in May and resumed with an easy win at Geelong on September 12.

O'Brien's other Stutt hopeful is the emergency Bombard who last start finished fifth at Sandown after a successful Geelong debut.