Fanatic powered into contention for the major summer cups after turning her fortunes around with a hot performance at Te Rapa.
The daughter of Shocking won her first race since she claimed the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks on protest when she proved a class above her opposition in Saturday's Dunstan Feeds Championship Qualifier.
In between times, Fanatic and her connections suffered a bizarre piece of bad luck in the spring when a spider bite counted her out of the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup and forced her early return home.
The four-year-old was unplaced when resuming in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes seven days ago and she showed the benefit of that outing with a clinical display for trainers Graeme Sanders and Debbie Sweeney.
"We thought she may have needed another run, but she was very impressive," Sweeney said.
Fanatic settled back of midfield on the fence before rider Mark Hills got her off the rail with 700 metres to run. They made rapid ground to be in contention on straightening and dashed clear 200 metres from home for an emphatic win.
"As long as she pulls up well, she'll go to the City of Auckland Cup on New Year's Day," Sweeney said.
Fanatic is also nominated for the Gr.3 Wallaceville Estate Wellington Cup and the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup with the latter feature at Ellerslie her more likely target.
Raised and Curraghmore and bred and raced by client Sean Kiernan, Fanatic is by Shocking out of the Groom Dancer mare Komplete Klass. NZ Racing Desk
The daughter of Shocking won her first race since she claimed the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks on protest when she proved a class above her opposition in Saturday's Dunstan Feeds Championship Qualifier.
In between times, Fanatic and her connections suffered a bizarre piece of bad luck in the spring when a spider bite counted her out of the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup and forced her early return home.
The four-year-old was unplaced when resuming in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes seven days ago and she showed the benefit of that outing with a clinical display for trainers Graeme Sanders and Debbie Sweeney.
"We thought she may have needed another run, but she was very impressive," Sweeney said.
Fanatic settled back of midfield on the fence before rider Mark Hills got her off the rail with 700 metres to run. They made rapid ground to be in contention on straightening and dashed clear 200 metres from home for an emphatic win.
"As long as she pulls up well, she'll go to the City of Auckland Cup on New Year's Day," Sweeney said.
Fanatic is also nominated for the Gr.3 Wallaceville Estate Wellington Cup and the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup with the latter feature at Ellerslie her more likely target.
Raised and Curraghmore and bred and raced by client Sean Kiernan, Fanatic is by Shocking out of the Groom Dancer mare Komplete Klass. NZ Racing Desk
