Fancify after more Black Type at Flemington
The Ciaron Maher stable is banking on race fitness giving Fancify (NZ) (Niagara) an edge when she lines up in a Stakes race at Flemington.
Fancify tackles eight opponents in the Gr.3 Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m) on Saturday, the first Stakes race of the new racing season.
Saturday's outing will be the fourth race Fancify has contested since joining the Maher team having previously been prepared at Murray Bridge by Michael Hickmott.
Under Hickmott's care, Fancify won the Gr.3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week in 2024, the last time she tasted success.
Fancify did run second to Watchme Win (Harry Angel) in the Listed Wylie Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville last September while two starts back she finished second in the Gold Topaz (1200m) at Swan Hill.
At her most recent outing, Fancify led before knocking up in the straight to finish second last in the Leilani Series Final (1400m) at Flemington on July 4.
Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, said Fancify had also been nominated for a 1400m race on Saturday's Flemington card but elected to take on the Aurie's Star in the search of more 'Black Type'.
"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."
Fancify will be ridden on Saturday by apprentice Jabez Johnstone, despite the race being a non-claiming affair.
Johnstone is in great form, riding a double at Caulfield last Saturday along with a four-timer at Sandown on Wednesday.
Fancify was bred by leading New Zealand racing photographer Trish Dunell.
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). – RAS Newswire
Grylls retains premiership crown
Matamata jockey Craig Grylls has dominated New Zealand’s riding ranks once again this season and has retained his National Jockeys’ Premiership crown.
The 36-year-old hoop was a runaway leader in last season’s premiership and proved it again this term, posting 140 victories, 47 wins ahead of his closest rival, Samantha Collett.
“I am absolutely stoked,” Grylls said. “I was lucky to be so busy through the summer and being able to open up a big margin. I was able to have a couple of breaks over winter without having to go too hard the whole time, so it was really good.”
Grylls recorded 11 stakes wins this season, and while hard pressed to pick a highlight, Waitak’s (NZ) (Proisir) Group One double in the Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) and Livamol Classic (2040m) were memorable, and he is hoping they can repeat that feat this spring.
“A couple of Group One wins on Waitak earlier on in the season were great,” he said. “I think he is trialling at Taupo in the middle of next month and then he is going to the three triple crown races. As far as I am aware, I am booked to ride him, so I look forward to getting back on him, he is a grand old horse.”
La Dorada’s (NZ) (Super Seth) return to form in the Gr.2 Levin Classic (1400m) at Trentham in January was particularly rewarding for Grylls, while he is excited to reunite with the Andrew Forsman-trained Hinekaha in the new season, who he thinks can build on last year’s Gr.2 Cal Isuzu (1600m) triumph.
“I had a few good stakes winners like La Dorada in the Levin Classic and Hinekaha,” Grylls said. “She (Hinekaha) has been a horse I have always liked and I look forward to her coming back in the new season. I think she is going to be a topline mare eventually.”
With two consecutive National Premierships under his belt, a move across the Tasman to test his talent in Australia dangles as a lucrative carrot, however, Grylls said he is happy in New Zealand for now, where he has established a great network and lifestyle.
“It (moving to Australia) has crossed my mind from time to time, but I am happy where I am at the moment,” he said. “I am established here and have got a great lifestyle here, and I am lucky that I get great support from everyone, which is fantastic.”
While Grylls has had topflight success in the saddle this season, he has also enjoyed it as an owner, but in another code, with the Dylan and Jo Ferguson-trained juvenile trotter Apollo Eleven winning the Gr.1 IRT Young Guns Easton Light Classic Mobile Trot (1700m) at Alexandra Park in May.
It has been a memorable year for Grylls, and he is hoping his form can continue into the new season, which will start on Saturday where he has a handful of rides at Ruakaka, including the Andrew Forsman-trained Walkin In Memphis, who will contest the 15 Aug Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1100m).
“I have got a couple of nice rides on paper, so it would be nice to kick off the new season with a win or two,” he said. “Walkin In Memphis is a nice horse, he has shown plenty of promise as a two-year-old. His trial was okay at Avondale, he is going to improve a lot with that, and I am looking forward to getting back on him.” - Joshua Smith
Kereti takes out Awapuni Synthetic Final
Awapuni trainer Mike Breslin finished the season on a high at his home synthetic meeting on Friday when recording a winning double, including Kereti (NZ) (Darci Brahma) taking out the $60,000 Power Farming Manawatu Awapuni Synthetic Final (1400m).
The Darci Brahma gelding has been in solid form, winning two and runner-up in one of his last four starts, and he was duly backed into $1.90 favouritism in the six-horse field.
Leading apprentice jockey Amber Riddell urged him out of the gates and worked forward to take up pace-making duties. Left unchallenged in front, Kereti travelled comfortably throughout and won as he liked, easing down to score by 2-1/2 lengths.
Off his recent performances, Breslin was confident of a bold showing, and he was thrilled to see his gelding earn the lion’s share of the $60,000 purse on offer.
“It was a nice way to finish off the season, especially for Kereti to get a decent stake under his belt,” Breslin said.
"He was too good for them two starts ago when he won by five (lengths), so with a 3.5kg swing (in weight) it was just a matter of how much difference that would make against a similar field, and it brought him from a five-length winner to 2.5.”
Kereti will likely return to the track in a fortnight where he will contest another rich synthetic feature – the $75,000 Polytrack Championship (1400m).
“Weight is going to be getting more of an issue on the poly for him, but we will just see how he comes through this and see what the handicapper does to him for today,” Breslin said.
Earlier on the card, stablemate Popinjay (NZ) (Rock ‘N’ Pop) broke through for his maiden win in the Prydes Easifeed Maiden 2140.
“He is a three-year-old that is quite immature still, both mentally and physically, so I am quite happy to get a win under his belt,” Breslin said. “It takes a lot of pressure off.
“He is a horse that will furnish over the next couple of years.”
Looking ahead to next season, Breslin is excited by the prospects of his young team, while Crouch (NZ) (Tarzino) and Intention (NZ) (Bivouac) loom as key players in his older division.
“I have got a few in the stable that are turning two tomorrow, and you just hope,” Breslin said.
“Intention had a few issues as a three-year-old after winning a Group Two as a two-year-old. I think she is a horse that has come back a lot better and is over the little issues that we had with her, so I am looking forward to seeing how she comes up.
“Things didn’t work out for Crouch in Australia, but we will get him back and have another go at the Wellington Cup (Gr.3, 3200m).” - Joshua Smith
Paul Vettise
New Zealand Bloodstock
