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| Editor: Elliot Dean | | Writer: Marcus Walta | | Writer: Janet Bastow | | Photographer: Matthew Smith | |
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Fantastic Run Hussles The Field |
Fantastic Run Hussles Liston Field
By Elliot Dean
Four year old star in the making Light Fantastic has kept his undefeated record intact, winning the Group 2 Liston Stakes against some quality opposition on Saturday at Caulfield. The race, which was being touted as the first showdown of Australia's two best horses, lived up to punters expectations with an exciting finish decided by milliseconds.
Jockey Craig Newitt settled Light Fantastic midfield, just behind Weekend Hussler, the $1.70 favourite. Round the final turn he came through on the inside of Weekend Hussler, and found more over the final furlong to win by 3/4 of a length. Last year's star of the spring Maldivian led the field into the straight and battled on gallantly for a close third.
Trainer Ross McDonald was still pleased with Weekend Hussler's second place, and the way he grinded to the line suggests he will be very hard to beat over the longer distances. Maldivian's trainer Mark Kavanagh was ecstatic with his gelding's first up run. "It was an incredible run. He's come back just super," jockey Michael Rodd said.
Light Fantastic who now has 5 wins from 5 stars, is looking towards the $3 million Cox Plate. He now moves into equal favouritism with Weekend Hussler for the Weight For Age Australian trophy at $4.80. Maldivian sits in outright 3rd at $11. New Zealand horse Alamosa also features heavily in Cox Plate betting, after an eye-catching run down the outside.
There were several other quality races which gave us a good preview of who will be worth following this Spring. The 3 year old races both had surprise winners with Fernadina taking out the Vain Stakes and Viennese proving too good in the Quezette Stakes.
Leon Corstens' colt Fernadina was very impressive, holding out his more fancied opponents Lord Tavistock, Exceeding Good and Reaan. In the fillies race, Freedman-trained Viennese proved too classy for stablemate Woppitt, who battled hard from the front to finish 2nd. But the eye catching runs came from Burgeis (5th) and Miss Valley Road (6th) who made up ground on a slow on-pacers track, and will certainly be improved over more ground.
In the Cockram Stakes, Princess Gisella gave victory to local trainer Robert Smerdon, as she flashed down the outside to defeat Mimi Lebrock and Devil Moon. All 3 horses had nice runs, and should be in for a solid spring campaign.
Perhaps the most notable run of the day was in the last race by Scenic Blast. The four year old toyed with it's opposition, lumbering up to the leaders in the straight, before storming home to win comfortably. It's price has been slashed in Cox Plate betting as is now equal 4th favourite. Gotta Have Heart lived up to his name finishing a noble second, while Barabaricus rounded out the placings.
In Sydney, Triple Honour won the Premiere Stakes, defeating in-form 7 year old Captain Bax and Hawkes-trained Reigning to Win at Rosehill.
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