It would be a patient ride from veteran jockey Troy Turner that would prove the difference in the Suzanne Newby 60th Birthday HCP 1600m – a brave display of horsemanship rewarded as Fanicio saluted in the final event.
It was about this time last year, that the Simon Foster trained Benicio 4yo appeared on the scene, with a stunning four length maiden victory sounding its arrival. Two more wins and two thirds would follow, before a failed attempt at the 2012 Northam Cup. Resuming at Ascot with a good first up win, followed by a close second to the classy Galaxy Prince – expectations were high for a successful summer campaign. But a string of luckless rides would end a promising purple patch for Fanicio, and it would seem that punters were quick to forget those past glories.
Resuming on June 12th – Fanicio (60kg) ran on well in a Belmont mid-weeker when second to Grand Crusade over 1300m, working home from eighth on the turn that day. But it wasn’t enough to catch the punters eye leading into today’s event, as the gelding drifted in the market prerace – and half way through the race, we would have all thought that decision was correct.
Buried four back on the fence in running, Turner had to wait for an opportunity to present. The opening appeared, and Turner capitalised – spearing Fanicio ($11.00) in between horses, before sprinting to the line for a head victory. Final Cut ($16.00) ran on well for second, with race favourite Rantorini ($3.60 fav) a further ¾ length away in third.
Fanicio now has five wins from 13 starts, together with three minor placing’s and nearly $100,000 in prize money.
Chris Blackwell