The Ciaron Maher stable is optimistic that race fitness will give Fancify the edge when she competes in Saturday’s Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington.
The Group 3 race marks Fancify’s fourth appearance since transferring to the Maher stable from Michael Hickmott’s Murray Bridge operation.
During her tenure with Hickmott, the mare secured Group 3 success in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week in 2024, which stands as her most recent victory.
She has also achieved placings at stakes level, finishing as runner-up in last year’s Listed Wylie Stakes at Morphettville. Additionally, two starts prior, she was second in the Gold Topaz at Swan Hill.
Fancify’s most recent run was in the Leilani Series Final at Flemington on July 4, where she led early but faded in the closing stages over 1400 metres, finishing second last.
National assistant trainer Jack Turnbull indicated the stable intentionally chose to reduce the mare’s distance to 1200 metres, rather than participating in another benchmark race over 1400 metres, in pursuit of valuable 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.”
Apprentice jockey Jabez Johnstone has kept the ride despite the Group 3 being a non-claiming event.
Johnstone is enjoying a remarkable run of form heading into the meeting, having ridden a double at Caulfield last Saturday and securing four wins at Sandown on Wednesday.
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