Fancify seeks further Flemington success

[Wandering Eyes]

Trainer Michael Hickmott will look to enhance the already impressive record of Fancify (NZ) (Niagara) when she runs in a Stakes race at Flemington. 

Fancify has won seven of her 14 starts and has an imposing record at Flemington, registering two wins and a second from three starts at the track. 

The Group 3 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m) on Saturday will see Fancify attempt to add a third win over the course and distance. 

Fancify scored at the track and trip last June before leading throughout to claim the Group 3 HKJC Stakes on Melbourne Cup Day. 

“She seems to enjoy the track and it’s probably clearly her pet distance and we’re very happy with the race that we’ve found,” Hickmott said. 

Todd Pannell is making the trip over from Adelaide to partner Fancify on Saturday, replacing Joe Bowditch who won on the mare at Murray Bridge and Flemington last year and partnered her when a first-up second at Sandown on February 1. 

“Todd and Jessica (Tzaferis) ride most of my horses over here and he has done a lot of work on the horse in the background,” Hickmott said. 

“Unfortunately, in the last preparation she got 54 kilos on Murray Bridge Cup Day and 55 kilos on Melbourne Cup Day when she won those two races. 

“Todd and I discussed it, and as Joe was over here riding for me that day, he held the ride. 

“Joe certainly hasn’t been taken off and if she doesn’t happen to get Todd’s weight again, Joe will go back on her.” 

Hickmott said with the trial schedule in South Australia he was unable to get the fitness into Fancify ahead of her first-up assignment. 

He said Fancify had made improvement from running second to She’s Bulletproof at Sandown. 

“I know she has a lot of improvement left in her just with the trial schedule over here as we weren’t able to get an official trial into her and she went into the race not wound up,” Hickmott said. 

“This race, or the Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield next week, were always going to be her target, so I decided to run in this rather than wait for the Mannerism.” 

Past Saturday, Hickmott is undecided on where to head. 

Saturday’s 1400m trip is her preferred journey and Hickmott thinks the 1200m of the Group 1 Sangster Stakes in April may prove a bit sharp. 

“I just want to get through Saturday,” Hickmott said. 

“I would love to find 1400-metre race while her rating is around that 100 range and I think finding a nice 1400-metre handicap would be ideal.” 

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