Photo: Darryl Sherer
The David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig trained-mare Fanatic showed her staying prowess with a win in the Ronald McDonald Charities House (2800m) on the Melbourne Cup undercard on Tuesday.
Settled back in the field by jockey Michael Walker, Fanatic showed an exceptional turn of foot from the 300m to reel in her rivals, crossing the line 1.2 lengths clear of last start winner Sherlock Holmes and Sacadelic who was a further 2.5 lengths back in third position.
“She was in season at her last start so we were looking for her to bounce back,” said Jack Kiernan, son of Taranaki breeder-owner Sean.
Fanatic began her career in New Zealand where she won the 2016 Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks under the tutelage of Graham Sanders and Debbie Sweeney.
Sanders and Sweeny had set her for the 2016 Caulfield and Melbourne Cups but a suspected spider bite whilst in Australia curtailed the campaign.
Born and Raised at Curraghmore, Fanatic is by the 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, Fanatic is out of the winning Groom Dancer mare Komplete Klass.
