Flemington racecourse: Fancify aims for more black type

The Ciaron Maher stable believes Fancify's race fitness will be her key advantage in Saturday's Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington.

This Group 3 contest represents Fancify's fourth start since her transfer from Michael Hickmott's Murray Bridge stable.

While under Hickmott's guidance, the mare captured Group 3 glory in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week in 2024, marking her most recent success.

She has also shown her capability with placings at stakes level, notably a second in last year's Listed Wylie Stakes at Morphettville, and a runner-up finish in the Gold Topaz at Swan Hill two starts ago.

Fancify's last performance was in the Leilani Series Final at Flemington on July 4, where she established the early pace before tiring in the latter stages over 1400 metres, finishing second last.

National assistant trainer Jack Turnbull explained the stable's strategic decision to shorten the mare to 1200 metres, opting against another 1400-metre benchmark race in their pursuit of significant black type earnings.

"We just felt coming back in trip as she had been racing pretty fresh and free, that if we can ride her back behind a couple that is her best pattern we have seen for us," Turnbull said.

"It's a small field which helps and the topweight has a lot of weight, but he is a good horse, but it's a good opportunity for her.

"Race fitness, that's her edge.

"She is Stakes performed and is well into her preparation, so rather than go back to another 1400-metre, which she would have been a proper chance in, she deserves a crack at a race like this."

Apprentice jockey Jabez Johnstone will continue his association with Fancify, despite the Group 3 event being a non-claiming race.

Johnstone is in exceptional form recently, having booted home a double at Caulfield last Saturday and then achieved a remarkable four-win haul at Sandown on Wednesday.

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