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.
Check out the latest Flemington racing odds with leading online bookmakers.
More Racing News
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...