Older racegoers may have latched onto Fatty Finn who broke through for his maiden win as favourite at Sale.
Developed as a character for a comic strip in Sydney in the 1920’s, Fatty Finn was turned into a movie in the 1980’s with Ben Oxenbould the lead actor.
The equine Fatty Finn was having his third start when successful in the Programmed Property Services Maiden Plate (1415m) at Sale on Wednesday.
Fatty Finn is prepared by Charlotte Littlefield who also has the well-named Bruiser Murphy, a Moe maiden winner on debut, in her care and who is raced by the same connections at Fatty Finn.
Littlefield, who was on strapping duties at Sale on Wednesday, quickly relayed a nice backstory about Fatty Finn.
“Ben, the actor who played the character in the movie, got in touch with us,” Littlefield told racing.com.
“He’s going world-wide this horse and now that he’s won, he’s going to be even more famous.
“It’s a great story.”
Sent out the $2.10 favourite under Zac Spain, Fatty Finn had Wednesday’s race in his keeping a long way from home, eventually scoring by 1-½ lengths from Just For Kicks ($5) with She’s Got The Cash ($6) a head away third.
“He rode that to perfection,” Littlefield said.
“He took luck out of the equation, he went forward and the horse was too good.
“A big thank-you to Lyn Joyce who has entrusted this horse in my care, and she has two horses, very well named, Bruiser Murphy and Fatty Finn.”
Littlefield will head home to England to ride in the Magnolia Cup during the Glorious Goodwood Carnival in July, a charity race on ‘Ladies Day’ for 12 female riders from across the worlds of business, sport, fashion and media who undergo intensive training before competing.
“IÂ grew up just down the road, so Goodwood was my local racecourse,” Little said.
“To now return here and compete at such a prestigious event is truly a pinch-me moment.”
