Photo: Race Images PN
Graeme Sanders and Debbie Sweeney are relaxed about Fanatic's chance of securing a start in the $A3 million Gr.1 Caulfield Cup.
The father and daughter training partnership will take their chances with the daughter of Shocking, who won't race again before the October 15 feature.
"She flies out to Melbourne on Wednesday and the plan is to run in the Caulfield Cup, but there are other options if she doesn't get in," Sweeney said.
"It's going to be pretty tough, but we know she can stay so we'll have a crack while she's got a nice, light weight.
"If she can't make the Caulfield Cup then there are always races like the Geelong Cup or the Ballarat Cup."
The winner on protest of last season's Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks, Fanatic is currently 30th in order of entry to the cup, but she will move up the ladder with the Aidan O'Brien-trained pair of Highland Reel and Order Of St George ruled out, as are Sofia Rosa and Signoff.
"We're really happy with her condition and we were glad we didn't run her on Saturday," Sweeney said.
Fanatic, who is raced by her Hawera breeder Sean Kiernan, bypassed the Gr.1 Livamol Classic due to the rain-affected track at Hastings.
She had previously finished sixth when resuming for the season on the opening day of the Hawke's Bay meeting and was then unplaced on her return for the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate.
"On the second day she couldn't get a crack at them when she was stuck back on the rail," Sweeney said.
Fanatic will be accompanied to Melbourne by the former top jumps jockey Michelle Strawbridge (nee Hopkins). – NZ Racing Desk.
The father and daughter training partnership will take their chances with the daughter of Shocking, who won't race again before the October 15 feature.
"She flies out to Melbourne on Wednesday and the plan is to run in the Caulfield Cup, but there are other options if she doesn't get in," Sweeney said.
"It's going to be pretty tough, but we know she can stay so we'll have a crack while she's got a nice, light weight.
"If she can't make the Caulfield Cup then there are always races like the Geelong Cup or the Ballarat Cup."
The winner on protest of last season's Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks, Fanatic is currently 30th in order of entry to the cup, but she will move up the ladder with the Aidan O'Brien-trained pair of Highland Reel and Order Of St George ruled out, as are Sofia Rosa and Signoff.
"We're really happy with her condition and we were glad we didn't run her on Saturday," Sweeney said.
Fanatic, who is raced by her Hawera breeder Sean Kiernan, bypassed the Gr.1 Livamol Classic due to the rain-affected track at Hastings.
She had previously finished sixth when resuming for the season on the opening day of the Hawke's Bay meeting and was then unplaced on her return for the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate.
"On the second day she couldn't get a crack at them when she was stuck back on the rail," Sweeney said.
Fanatic will be accompanied to Melbourne by the former top jumps jockey Michelle Strawbridge (nee Hopkins). – NZ Racing Desk.
