A super ride from veteran hoop Troy Turner proved the difference in today’s Famous Roman At Rivercrest Park HCP 1600m, when successful aboard the Simon Foster trained Fanicio.
In arguably the “lottery race” of the day, the 4yo Benicio gelding Fanicio ($7.00) was one of six horses specked on the second line of betting behind last start winner Platinum Rocker ($3.30 fav), leaving punters tossing coins prerace in an attempt to find a winner.
Electing to sit worse than midfield upon barrier rise, Turner seemed unconcerned as Ancient Spell ($21.00) and last start winner Galoubay ($8.50) tore up the track with sizzling early sectionals. Buried three back in no man’s land, Turner made his move at the 400m mark, extricating his mount back towards the rail in a brave attempt to avoid the gridlock created by the fanning field. The move proved a master stroke, as Fanicio hugged the fence as it burst through the pack to sail to the line for a length victory.
The evergreen The Corporation ($8.00) continued its remarkably resurgence to hold onto second, with longshot Hel Cool ($61.00) a further quarter length away in third.
Much like Bolton Sprint victor Settle Strada, Fanicio has also laid claim to Belmont Park – with five wins and three placing’s from nine attempts on the winter track.
Foster looks set to opt for a change of scenery for Fanicio, with Coolgardie and Boulder Cup assignments high on the agenda.
Chris Blackwell