A trip to Queensland for a black-type assignment is on the agenda for South Australian galloper Fancify after her win at Flemington.
The daughter of Niagara has won three of her past four starts, her last two in Melbourne, after leading throughout in the RDA Horsham Jan Croser Plate (1400m) on Saturday.
Ridden by Tatum Bull, Fancify ($6) scored a 1-¾ length win from Jenny Jerome ($12) with Brazen Lady ($5.50) a short-neck away third.
Trainer Michael Hickmott said the Listed Eyeliner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich on June 22 was on the radar for Fancify, with the mare who was previously owned by Kiwi breeder Trish Dunell recently purchased by Imperial Racing who sponsor the Eyeliner Stakes.
“She will fly up for the Eyeliner on Tuesday,” Hickmott said.
“(Brother) Rob and I were talking about heading up and he’s got Beltoro potentially going.
“Imperial Racing are the sponsor of the Eyeliner Stakes, so it’s been a well thought out plan.”
Hickmott said he was approached by Imperial Racing’s racing manager Trevor Lambourne during the week about purchasing the mare.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t have the colours here today, but it’s a fantastic result for the new owners,” Hickmott said.
“Tatum and I had a good chat before the race, and I said just roll to the front.
“My horses are known for their fitness as we train on the heavy sand at home, and we didn’t want to make it a sit and sprint.
“I was hesitant when she was in front as I thought she would win here on Oaks Day last year, but she got run down in the last couple of strides.
“But she rode her beautifully today.”
After racing in Queensland, Hickmott is hopeful Fancify will return to his base in South Australia to be prepared for a shot at the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
Fancify has now won five of her ten career starts, with a further three runner-up finishes. The mare began her career in New Zealand where she was a trial winner for Levin trainer Ilone Kelly.
Her breeder, leading New Zealand racing photographer Trish Dunell, remains a shareholder in Fancify’s sire Niagara, a Group Two winning son of Encosta de Lago, who stands at Vicki Wilson’s Hau Ora Farm in Kahuranaki, south of Hastings.
Out of Laced Up, a Keeninsky half-sister to Group One winners Jimmy Choux and Miss Wilson, Fancify is a sibling to three other winners including Unlaced who was fourth in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m).
