The Light Fantastic
August 17th 2008 04:09
I remember the first time I saw Light Fantastic race. It was the Listed Nissan Stakes of 2008 at Moonee Valley over 1000m and I believed I had the race easily assessed with Gibraltar Campion having a substantial margin over her rivals on speedfigures. It was at her last run in the Spring of 2007 when this speedy Rock Of Gibraltar filly had run ragged a field of accomplished older sprinters in the Listed Kevin Heffernan Stakes at Sandown over 1200m. Gibraltar Campion had defeated tough sprinting geldings Cargo Cult and Cocinero with ease. Now, three months later she drops back into a race for her own age. Speedfigures said she would win. Logic said she would win.
(photo: Vince Caliguiri)
Well I must admit to being very confident as she shot clear on the turn. The hype surrounding the impressive grey Light Fantastic had me watching his progress throughout the race. And as the filly surged, he appeared to be flat-footed and completely ill at ease with the pressures of the race (this being a different situation to his easy maiden win at provincial Kyneton on debut). But no sooner had I congratulated myself than I could see the grey horse find balance and gather stride, and before I could let out a remark of surprise he had not only caught the filly - but swept past for a 3 length (easy) victory.
Light Fantastic would have his next start in the Group Two Perri Cutten Cup at Caulfield only one week later. This whole campaign seemed to be a mad rush. I knew very well the ability of his stablemate Vivacious Spirit who has exciting speedfigures and talent to burn. She had been very unlucky not to defeat brilliant filly Absolut Glam first up when she walked out of the barriers and was held up at a vital time. She then subsequently toyed with an inferior field of fillies her next start at Caulfield. The Perri Cutten Cup attracted a strong field of 3 year olds with Viatorian, Largo Lad, Marching, Turffontein, Musidora, Littorio and Villain in their number. But I still believed that the filly (Vivacious Spirit) would be too slick for her 'boom' stablemate.
This was an unusual race with Vivacious Spirit going out very fast and having the bulk of the field struggling to stay on the bit, balance and be part of the race. But Light Fantastic relished the pace. This time the flat-spot was less pronounced and he was able to reel in the filly and come away for a very impressive win. Vivacious Spirit brave and easily superior to the rest. Next start was to be the Group One Cadbury Guineas at Flemington - just two weeks later. Just slightly longer than one month would it take for Light Fantastic to rise from maiden winner to Group One champion. It was almost too quick. Unbelievable (did it really happen?). In the Guineas he jumped and held a more forward position and proved just too strong for (almost) the same classy band of 3 year olds he defeated at Caulfield. Business done. Arrival announced. Spell needed and necessary.
Then the wait and anticipation. Dream, or fact?
The first-round clash of the Spring Carnival in the JJ Liston Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield drew a very strong field with champion sprinter/miler Weekend Hussler resuming with a campaign aimed at making him a stayer - and the (it seems to be) forgotten Maldivian resuming to try and emulate his brilliance of last Spring. And we had brilliant New Zealand horses Alamosa and Sir Slick, along with VRC Derby winner Kibbutz. Unfortunately English import Alexander Of Hales was scratched - but with the inclusion of the in-form Winter gallopers Jungle Ruler and Live In Vain, a fast tempo was ensured.
The race went to plan with the speed genuine and a quick first one thousand metres pace was set. Last campaign Weekend Hussler would have sat on the shoulder of the speed over 1000m or 1200m with ease - but this time he sat midfield and was poised to close late. This is Weekend Hussler phase two. The Hussler grown-up and less precocious. Maturing. Not quite there yet - but soon. Can he be the champion staying horse as he was champion sprinter/miler? No doubt he is different this time around.
And as I closely watched Weekend Hussler start to circle the field I saw Light Fantastic flounder in his customary 'flat-spot' as gears change and his engine stalls before engaging turbo-charging. Rawiller rode Weekend Hussler as a stayer and it did at times appear that he would grind his way to victory, but Craig Newitt (by luck of late response from his horse) had been able to guide Light Fantasic through the fanning field and via the short-way home as he cut the corner before pushing into clear running. Maldivian at the same time had gained the lead and would (as always) be a bulldog in the run to the line. Weekend Hussler loomed - and then peaked on his run - as he just failed to match the sprint of the striking grey gelding. Light Fantastic brilliant. Weekend Hussler and Maldivian enticing even in defeat.
The Liston Stakes was a brilliant and exciting taste of what this Spring should provide. We have horses of world class ability - and the possibility of some of the best horses in the world coming here to compete with our best.
Tantalising.
Light Fantastic: photogenic and fast
(photo: Vince Caliguiri)
Well I must admit to being very confident as she shot clear on the turn. The hype surrounding the impressive grey Light Fantastic had me watching his progress throughout the race. And as the filly surged, he appeared to be flat-footed and completely ill at ease with the pressures of the race (this being a different situation to his easy maiden win at provincial Kyneton on debut). But no sooner had I congratulated myself than I could see the grey horse find balance and gather stride, and before I could let out a remark of surprise he had not only caught the filly - but swept past for a 3 length (easy) victory.
Light Fantastic would have his next start in the Group Two Perri Cutten Cup at Caulfield only one week later. This whole campaign seemed to be a mad rush. I knew very well the ability of his stablemate Vivacious Spirit who has exciting speedfigures and talent to burn. She had been very unlucky not to defeat brilliant filly Absolut Glam first up when she walked out of the barriers and was held up at a vital time. She then subsequently toyed with an inferior field of fillies her next start at Caulfield. The Perri Cutten Cup attracted a strong field of 3 year olds with Viatorian, Largo Lad, Marching, Turffontein, Musidora, Littorio and Villain in their number. But I still believed that the filly (Vivacious Spirit) would be too slick for her 'boom' stablemate.
This was an unusual race with Vivacious Spirit going out very fast and having the bulk of the field struggling to stay on the bit, balance and be part of the race. But Light Fantastic relished the pace. This time the flat-spot was less pronounced and he was able to reel in the filly and come away for a very impressive win. Vivacious Spirit brave and easily superior to the rest. Next start was to be the Group One Cadbury Guineas at Flemington - just two weeks later. Just slightly longer than one month would it take for Light Fantastic to rise from maiden winner to Group One champion. It was almost too quick. Unbelievable (did it really happen?). In the Guineas he jumped and held a more forward position and proved just too strong for (almost) the same classy band of 3 year olds he defeated at Caulfield. Business done. Arrival announced. Spell needed and necessary.
Then the wait and anticipation. Dream, or fact?
The first-round clash of the Spring Carnival in the JJ Liston Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield drew a very strong field with champion sprinter/miler Weekend Hussler resuming with a campaign aimed at making him a stayer - and the (it seems to be) forgotten Maldivian resuming to try and emulate his brilliance of last Spring. And we had brilliant New Zealand horses Alamosa and Sir Slick, along with VRC Derby winner Kibbutz. Unfortunately English import Alexander Of Hales was scratched - but with the inclusion of the in-form Winter gallopers Jungle Ruler and Live In Vain, a fast tempo was ensured.
The race went to plan with the speed genuine and a quick first one thousand metres pace was set. Last campaign Weekend Hussler would have sat on the shoulder of the speed over 1000m or 1200m with ease - but this time he sat midfield and was poised to close late. This is Weekend Hussler phase two. The Hussler grown-up and less precocious. Maturing. Not quite there yet - but soon. Can he be the champion staying horse as he was champion sprinter/miler? No doubt he is different this time around.
And as I closely watched Weekend Hussler start to circle the field I saw Light Fantastic flounder in his customary 'flat-spot' as gears change and his engine stalls before engaging turbo-charging. Rawiller rode Weekend Hussler as a stayer and it did at times appear that he would grind his way to victory, but Craig Newitt (by luck of late response from his horse) had been able to guide Light Fantasic through the fanning field and via the short-way home as he cut the corner before pushing into clear running. Maldivian at the same time had gained the lead and would (as always) be a bulldog in the run to the line. Weekend Hussler loomed - and then peaked on his run - as he just failed to match the sprint of the striking grey gelding. Light Fantastic brilliant. Weekend Hussler and Maldivian enticing even in defeat.
The Liston Stakes was a brilliant and exciting taste of what this Spring should provide. We have horses of world class ability - and the possibility of some of the best horses in the world coming here to compete with our best.
Tantalising.
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