More Group Success for Fiscal Fantasy

Media Release - Tuesday November 5

Skilled mare Fiscal Fantasy may be small, but she is mighty.

The diminutive mare showed her quality when beating her much larger rivals at Ellerslie on Tuesday when taking out the Group III OMF Stakes (2000m).

Fiscal Fantasy - image Trish DunnellThe Frank Ritchie-trained mare was positioned beautifully by jockey Leith Inness just behind the pace before they were able to take the shortest way home down the home straight to score a 1-1/4 length victory over Roger That, with Peso a neck back in third.

It was the second Group Three victory for the daughter of Skilled, after winning the Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m) in April, and Ritchie was delighted with the result.

“She is only a tiny little thing, but she’s a real professional,” he said.

“Leith said to me she got a little bit keen down the back, but she settled when he asked and she came back to him beautifully.

“He waited for the fence and it worked well, it was an absolutely brilliant ride by Leith.

“It was nice to get another Group win with her and it enhances her value as a broodmare, which is always helpful.”

Advertisement

Ritchie has held Fiscal Fantasy in high regard for some time and said the only thing that detracts from her is her small stature.

“She’s the whole package as a racehorse, aside from her size, in the fact that she is tractable, she answers the call (of the jockey) and she gives her best.

“I am frightened to measure her, but she is certainly under 15 hands, but she has a heart bigger than the grandstand.”

Ritchie is now looking to keep her to weight-for-age conditions, citing her small size as a big deterrent to handicap races.

“I was looking at the Counties Cup (Gr.3, 2100m), but now that she is a double Group Three winner and she is so small, the handicap might start beating her, so I will have a rethink now.

“The Zabeel Classic (Gr.1, 2000m) at Christmas is an obvious target race, but there is a bit of time between now and then, so I have got to give it a bit of thought.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Omf Stakes Gr3 2000m

Ellerslie Track: Good(3) Time: 2:03.33
1
Fiscal Fantasy
- 5m Skilled (AUS) x Villa Igea (AUS) (Papal Power (USA))
Tnr: F T Ritchie Rdr: L G Innes 57
2
1.3
Roger That
- 7g Shinko King (IRE) x Heather Lyn (NZ) (Yamanin Vital (NZ))
Tnr: A D Fuller Rdr: J L Waddell 59
3
2.1
Peso
- 8g Colombia (NZ) x All Magic (NZ) (Victory Dance (IRE))
Tnr: P Nelson & C McDougal Rdr: R J Myers 59
4
2.4
Concert Hall
- 5m Savabeel (AUS) x Classic Legacy (NZ) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: M Cameron 57
5
2.6
Major Tom
- 6g Red Giant (USA) x Letsgoparty (NZ) (Oregon (USA))
Tnr: K Rae & K Williams-Tuhoro Rdr: J J Fawcett 59
6
2.8
Vin De Dance
- 5g Roc De Cambes (NZ) x Explosive Dancer (NZ) (San Luis (AUS))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: C J Grylls 59
7
4.4
Red Sierra
- 6m Redwood (GB) x Sierra Gold (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: D & E Haworth Rdr: S T Collett 57
8
6.1
Zacada
- 7g Zabeel (NZ) x Lacada (AUS) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: J K Riddell 59
9
6.3
Saint Emilion
- 8g Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Roseario (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: M T Coleman 59
More Reading...
National Thoroughbred Week invites support through GoFundMe campaign
National Thoroughbred Week (NTW) is calling on the thoroughbred community and broader public to be part of history, with the launch of a GoFundMe campaign to help bring this inaugural celebration to life.
Gimcrack Winner Bred By Cornerstone
THE "BACKSLAPPING" in the backwaters of the Barossa on Saturday afternoon, paled into insignificance when compared to the celebrations of the connections of SHIKI that won on debut!
MM Gold Coast Horses In Training Sale Links
Tuesday saw the final breeze ups at the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions Horses In Training Sale which starts on Thursday so here’s our links to useful data including the pinhook report, with most lots having been sold previously.
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale is now online and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
Genetic Magic Strikes Again
A few weeks ago we published a story – Genetic Magic at Work – highlighting the recent success of line breeding to influential mare Cotehele House (GB) as demonstrated by the now Group I winner Verry Elleegant and Group II winning two year-old Cosmic Force and we saw that magic work again for a new Group III winner in New Zealand on Friday bred in Victoria by Wingrove Park.
Sword of State 2YO Ready for Debut
A pair of promising youngsters are set to make their debut for Cambridge trainer Chad Ormsby at Avondale on Wednesday, but track conditions may scupper plans for one of them.
Wrote SW on Comeback Trail
Robbie Patterson had high Classic hopes for Read About It last season before his rising young star’s progress was halted by illness.
OTI Racing officially enters New Zealand market
OTI Racing is officially going trans-Tasman, with the Australian syndicator becoming a licensed New Zealand syndicator this week.
2025 G1 Caulfield Guineas Field and Barrier Draw
A full field plus emergencies have accepted for the $3million Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday with Golden Rose runners Wodeton, Autumn Boy, Nepotism and Rivellino all engaged.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 7
Here is the full list of 25 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.