Hellbent Mare Chasing Black Type

Media Release - Thursday March 20

Fancy Like Lass has been no stranger to adversity and a black-type credit would be just reward for the gallant mare.

Several setbacks have been overcome by the lightly raced daughter of Hellbent who on Saturday will bid to make the most of her first crack at stakes company.

Fancy Like Lass will step up to stakes company in Saturday's Listed Bill Tito Book Repair Specialist Lightning Handicap (1200m).   Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

The Sue Thompson-Brown and Mick Brown-trained sprinter returns to Trentham, where she is a two-time winner, to contest the Listed Bill Tito Book Repair Specialist Lightning Handicap (1200m).

Fancy Like Lass will be partnered by Kate Hercock, who has forged a formidable partnership with the five-year-old having guided her to all four of her victories from just 11 appearances with a further quartet of runner-up finishes on her CV.

“I was surprised it is such a big field, but we’re happy to have drawn seven and that gives us a few options,” Mick Brown said.

“We’re happy with her and the ground will be all right as well and that last race has brought her on. With a bit of an easing in the track, she should let down a lot better.”

Fancy Like Lass was unplaced last time out on a Good3 surface and had previously finished second in a career that has been punctuated by lengthy injury breaks.

“Everyone knows she had a leg problem, she did a tendon and we scanned it and there was a bit of a tear so we did all the rehab,” Brown said.

“We got her rescanned and she came back into work, so it was a slow, slow build-up.

Advertisement

“Our farrier Johnny Hughes has also kept her sound, he does a brilliant job with her.”

Fancy Like Lass is raced by Margaret Harkema and was a $2100 purchase via Gavelhouse.

“She’s also had a tie forward operation, she’s a Grade Four in her breathing so she’s got a wind problem as well, but she’s pretty tough and genuine,” Brown said.

“She’s a lovely mare and Margaret has been brilliant so it would be so nice to get a bit of black type.”

Safely through this weekend, she may go to the Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) at Otaki before a break.

Bred by Nearco Stud, Fancy Like Lass is the first foal of the Choisir mare Mandalong Belle who is a half-sister to the multiple Singapore stakes winner Spanish Bay.

It is a speedy family with Mandalong Belle’s dam a half-sister to the Gr.1 Surround Stakes (1400m) winner Khaptivaan who produced the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) winner Khaptingly. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Wootton Bassett Colt Wins G2 Stutt Stakes
The racing and breeding world was shocked earlier this week by the passing of champion sire Wootton Bassett (GB), whose talented son West of Swindon picked the right race in which to break his maiden when scoring a bold front running victory in the $300,000 Group II MVRC Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Ardrossan Filly Wins First Kiwi Juvenile Race of New Season
Otaki horseman Johno Benner has a good association with the Karaka Millions, and he could have another serious contender on his hands for January’s showpiece.
30 Runners in Goffs Million!
The stage is set for Europe’s richest two-year-old race, the Goffs Million (7f), which has attracted a maximum field of 30 runners at the Curragh this Saturday and the €1 million contest, with prize money down to 10th, is only open to graduates of last year’s Goffs Orby Sale.
Horse Trading Stock Issues to Avoid
One of the key areas in thoroughbred taxation is accounting for trading stock and ensuring the tax closing value is properly ascertained. You’d be quite surprised of the enormous difference to the tax position of any racing player where trading stock problems occur.
La Dorada Chasing Redemption at Valley
Last season’s champion NZ two-year-old La Dorada will be out to prove her ability against her Australian counterparts on Friday night when she contests the Gr.3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.
Expensive I Am Invincible Mare Wins G1 Manikato
The highest priced filly at the 2022 Magic Millions Yearling Sale when selling for $1.55million, I Am Invincible filly Charm Stone has been a star from day one and is now a two time Group I winner after landing her second victory at the top level with a dominant win in the $2million MVRC Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Aquis Welcome First foals for Young Gun Officiating
A fast Group winning sprinter by Breeders Cup Classic winner Blame, Officiating (USA) was carefully selected by Aquis Stallions following a global headhunting mission to secure an outcross stallion for Queensland and his first foals are arriving this spring.
Deserving Stakes Success For Splash Back (Fr)
Unlucky not to already has a stakes victory on her resume, the Grahame Begg trained French-bred Le Havre mare Splash Back (Fr) broke through on Friday night at Moonee Valley, winning the $300,000 Group 2 MVRC Stock Stakes (1500m).
Pride of Jenni Too Good for Treasurethe Moment in G2 Feehan
Pride of Jenni might be an eight year-old mare that is drawing ever closer to the end of her glorious career, but there was a sparkle in her eye before the Group II MVRC Feehan Stakes (1600m) and it was the Jenni of old that ran her rivals ragged at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Manhattan Rain Gold Rush in WA
Geisel Park won’t be the only WA breeder on board when the first locally-conceived 2yo crop of its Group 1 sire Manhattan Rain get mobile this season.