Camera IconCredit: News Corp Australia

Sandown Cup: Trainer David Hayes eyes Adelaide Cup as autumn goal for Fanatic

GLENN McFARLANEHerald Sun

DAVID Hayes believes his Sandown Cup chance Fanatic can measure up into an Adelaide Cup contender in March.

The former Kiwi mare scored an emphatic win on Melbourne Cup day over 2800m and Hayes is confident she will again relish the rise to 3200m at Sandown Hillside on Saturday.

“She was really good, and she will like the two miles (3200m),” Hayes said. “She was really good in the last furlong.”

Fanatic, a daughter of 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, has twice stretched out to 3200m — for fourth in the Wellington Cup and sixth in the Auckland Cup.

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“I might train her for the Adelaide Cup (next year),” Hayes said.

The five-year-old only joined the Lindsay Park team in August and last year’s Group 1 New Zealand Oaks winner looks to have a bright future.

Fanatic could be aimed at the Adelaide Cup in the autumn.
Camera IconFanatic could be aimed at the Adelaide Cup in the autumn. Credit: News Corp Australia, Jay Town

She was found to be “in season” when eighth to subsequent Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Vengeur Masque in the Geelong Cup, but bounced back to easily score at Flemington.

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Fanatic is $3.70 for Saturday’s race. Darren Weir’s Gallic Chieftain ($2.25) is the favourite, and Weir thinks he is his best prospect on today’s program.

“I thought he got a terrible ride (when fifth in the Queen Elizabeth), Mick (Dee) gave the horse absolutely no chance from the position where he was and I thought the best part of the race was his last 300m,” Weir said on RSN.

“He pulled up really well, as he should because he only sort of galloped home a little bit late. The step up in trip is a real plus, so he is my best for the day.”

Trainer David Hayes is confident Fanatic will be hard to beat in the Sandwon Cup on Saturday.
Camera IconTrainer David Hayes is confident Fanatic will be hard to beat in the Sandwon Cup on Saturday. Credit: AAP

Embers still has a spark

Michael Manley

SHEA Eden is hoping Ocean Embers can make a statement at Sandown Hillside today in the Kevin Heffernan Stakes.

Before her win at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day, the trainer said some of her owners were considering selling the five-year-old mare after she had failed to impress in two runs back from a spell.

“I thought there was still a fair bit left and she had ­excuses, as the tracks were leader biased and too hard for her,” Eden said. “So there were reasons why she raced below our expectations. That (Flemington) win was a confidence booster for us as there were some nice horses in the race.”

Eden said Saturday’s 1300m Group 3 was anoth­er step up for Ocean Embers, but a win would confirm plans to tackle better races such as the Newmarket Handicap next year.

“She’s suited at the track and trip at Flemington and I believe she’s got the class to tackle a race like that,” he said.

Eden said Ocean Embers Flemington win was a great reward for his stable jockey Nikita Beriman. “Her work ethic is incredible — she starts an hour earlier than she has to and then she’s the last to leave,” he said. “I’m grateful for her hard work and she’s integral to my stable.”

Originally published as Cups high on Fanatic’s hit list