The Ciaron Maher stable is hoping race fitness can prove the decisive advantage for Fancify when she steps into Saturday’s Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington.
The Group 3 contest will be Fancify’s fourth start since joining the Maher stable after transferring from Michael Hickmott’s Murray Bridge operation.
During her time with Hickmott, the mare claimed Group 3 honours in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week in 2024, a victory that remains her most recent success.
She has also been placed at stakes level, finishing runner-up in last year’s Listed Wylie Stakes at Morphettville, while two starts ago she was second in the Gold Topaz at Swan Hill.
Fancify’s latest outing came in the Leilani Series Final at Flemington on July 4, where she led before weakening late to finish second last over 1400 metres.
National assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said the stable deliberately opted to drop the mare back to 1200 metres rather than contest 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 Jabez Johnstone has retained the ride despite the Group 3 being a non-claiming event.
Johnstone heads into the meeting in outstanding form after riding a double at Caulfield last Saturday before producing a four-win haul at Sandown on Wednesday.
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