She won her first race since she claimed the Group I New
Zealand Oaks on protest when she proved a class above her opposition in
Saturday's Dunstan Feeds Championship Qualifier.
In between times, Fanatic and her connections suffered a bizarre piece of bad
luck in the spring when a spider bite counted her out of the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup
and forced her early return home.
The four-year-old was unplaced when resuming in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes seven days ago and she showed the benefit of that outing with a clinical display for trainers Graeme Sanders and Debbie Sweeney.
"We thought she may have needed another run, but she was very impressive," Sweeney said.
Fanatic settled back of midfield on the fence before rider Mark Hills got her off the rail with 700 metres to run. They made rapid ground to be in contention on straightening and dashed clear 200 metres from home for an emphatic win.
"As long as she pulls up well, she'll go to the City of Auckland Cup on New Year's Day," Sweeney said.
Fanatic is also nominated for the Gr.3 Wallaceville Estate Wellington Cup and the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup with the latter feature at Ellerslie her more likely target.
The stable and Hills had earlier celebrated a victory from their $1 million Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby hope Wehadadeal in thebestlittlebookstoreco.nz 1400.
"It was a good effort and we thought he would go close," Sweeney said. "He was left a sitting duck the other day. He's a nice, relaxed horse with a lovely attitude."
Wehadadeal had placed at his first two appearances before his last-start fifth at Waipukurau.
"We think the further he goes the better he'll be," said Rick Williams, racing manager for breeder-owner Dick Karreman, of The Oaks Stud.
A son of Pluck, the three-year-old is currently a $61 chance for the New Zealand Derby on March 4. – NZ RAcing Desk
In between times, Fanatic and her connections suffered a bizarre piece of bad
luck in the spring when a spider bite counted her out of the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup
and forced her early return home.The four-year-old was unplaced when resuming in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes seven days ago and she showed the benefit of that outing with a clinical display for trainers Graeme Sanders and Debbie Sweeney.
"We thought she may have needed another run, but she was very impressive," Sweeney said.
Fanatic settled back of midfield on the fence before rider Mark Hills got her off the rail with 700 metres to run. They made rapid ground to be in contention on straightening and dashed clear 200 metres from home for an emphatic win.
"As long as she pulls up well, she'll go to the City of Auckland Cup on New Year's Day," Sweeney said.
Fanatic is also nominated for the Gr.3 Wallaceville Estate Wellington Cup and the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup with the latter feature at Ellerslie her more likely target.
The stable and Hills had earlier celebrated a victory from their $1 million Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby hope Wehadadeal in thebestlittlebookstoreco.nz 1400.
"It was a good effort and we thought he would go close," Sweeney said. "He was left a sitting duck the other day. He's a nice, relaxed horse with a lovely attitude."
Wehadadeal had placed at his first two appearances before his last-start fifth at Waipukurau.
"We think the further he goes the better he'll be," said Rick Williams, racing manager for breeder-owner Dick Karreman, of The Oaks Stud.
A son of Pluck, the three-year-old is currently a $61 chance for the New Zealand Derby on March 4. – NZ RAcing Desk
