Fancify leads all the way at Caulfield

A return to 1400m around Caulfield brought the very best out of the Group Three-winning mare Fancify (NZ) (Niagara), who bounced back to winning form with a dominant front-running performance in Saturday’s A$150,000 Evergreen Turf Handicap (1400m).

Previously a seven-race winner including the Gr.3 HKJC Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day in 2024, Fancify had gone winless in 10 starts through the 21 months since that triumph.

She left Michael Hickmott’s stable earlier this year to join the powerful Ciaron Maher operation, and her first four appearances from those new quarters produced a sixth in the Listed Straight Six (1200m), second in the Gold Topaz (1200m), ninth in the Leilani Series Final (1400m) and seventh in the Gr.3 Aurie’s Star Stakes (1200m).

Saturday’s race was only Fancify’s second start at Caulfield, having won over the same course and distance back in May of 2024, and it proved to be a winning formula again.

The seven-year-old daughter of Niagara was ridden by Jamie Melham, and after breaking well from her wide gate, she moved forward to take up the lead.

That was where the $16 outsider stayed, kicking hard in the straight and putting herself out of reach of the chasers. Fancify went on to win by two and a half lengths from Aztec Ruler (Universal Ruler) and the Maher-trained Ten Commandments (Palentino).

“The plan was to be positive on her today,” Melham said. “When she jumped so well, and there was no one else pushing forward, I was happy to take up the lead – especially with the way the track has been playing today.

“The straight (1200m) course at Flemington doesn’t really suit her, in my opinion. She gets her head up and does a bit wrong. Today’s race suited her perfectly.

“She trialled really well the other day. The team's got her going fantastic. She got a bit of a breather halfway, she settled and relaxed well, and she was strong to the line.”

Fancify has now had 24 starts for eight wins, seven placings and A$604,400 in stakes.

“We haven’t had her for long, so it’s been a bit of a working-out process,” Maher said. “She’s flicked around a few of our locations to keep her mentally stimulated. I think she looks fantastic. She presented well today.

“Her fitness was key. The track is racing very fair, but it’s had a bit of racing, so you’ve got to be fit to get through it. She was given a good, positive, flowing ride by Jamie, and it’s great to get the result. I’m sure she’ll race on well from here.”

Fancify was bred by leading New Zealand racing photographer Trish Dunell, who remains a shareholder in Fancify’s sire Niagara. Saturday’s win capped a highly successful day for Dunell, who also co-bred and part-owns the four-year-old Darci Brahma gelding Okaycee (NZ), a debut winner at Wanganui earlier on Saturday afternoon.

Fancify is out of Laced Up, a Keeninsky half-sister to Group One winners Jimmy Choux (NZ) (Thorn Park) and Miss Wilson (Stratum). Fancify is a sibling to three other winners including Unlaced (NZ) who was fourth in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m).