Four NZ Saturday Wins - Feelin' Fancy First

Champion trainer Jamie Richards made the perfect start to Saturday racing when Feelin' Fancy (4 m Rip Van Winkle - Frivolous, by Black Minnaloushe) won the $22,500 Rating 65 1600 metres at Hastings.

Having levelled the national record (143) in the last race, a day earlier, at Matamata, with Leaderboard (Street Cry), the win by Feelin' Fancy, who incidentally provided Danielle Johnson with her 1000^thcareer win, established a new benchmark of wins in a season.

After coming from second last to win the Maiden 1400 metres on 17 February at Te Aroha, and finishing second in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 10 March at Otaki, Feelin' Fancy had been given time (38 days) by Richards.

While barrier one seemed ideal, Feelin' Fancy appeared in danger of being unlucky from her position three back on the inner until rider Johnathan Parkes weaved his magic and she powered home to win stylishly.

A drifter in betting from $6.50 & $2.40 fixed odds to return $9.00 & $2.60 on the NZ TAB tote, Feelin' Fancy ran the 1600 metres in 1:37.9, on Dead5 footing, in the race sponsored by Civil Contractors Hawkes Bay/East Coast.

“She's quite a progressive mare, after requiring a long time to mature,” Richards said. “She's won two of her last three and looks like a type that can go on with it from here.

“It was a nice ride by Parksey. He looked like he might be unlucky, but managed to find some clear air and got the job done.”

The previous record of 143 was set by trainers Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman in the 2017/18 season.

“I was on the NZTR Board with Murray Baker and he's a guy I've always had a lot of time for, and he and Andrew (Forsman) continue to do a fantastic job,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. “To beat the record of two such special trainers is a tremendous thrill.

“Ten years ago Mark Walker broke the season record that Dave and Paul O'Sullivan held and to attain the record again is a real privilege and shows what an incredible job that Jamie (Richards) is doing.

“He makes really good training decisions and runs the stable unbelievably well. But, it's also a big team effort and we have the best staff you could wish for. Everyone does such a good job and deserves every success.

“It's a big thrill to get the record with a mare for Windsor Park Stud. Rodney Schick and his father, Nelson, and brother Jonny, are big supporters of Te Akau Racing. The mare gave Danielle her 1000^thwin, too, and it's all pretty special.”

By Rip Van Winkle (Galileo), the sire of dual Group One winner Te Akau Shark, her dam, Frivolous (Black Minnaloushe), possessed a turn-of-foot when winning four times to 1400 metres.

Frivolous hails from a family rich in both bloodlines and success. Her dam, Greta Hall (Kaapstad - Lovenvain), a talented and beautifully bred race-mare owned and bred by Alan Burnet CBE and Windsor Park Stud, won five times from only nine starts, with three of those at listed level, including one apiece at Randwick and Rosehill.

From grand producer Lovenvain (Vain), who left winners of 44 races, Greta Hall is a sister to dual Group One winner Golden Sword and other key Group performers Balmoral Keep (Balmerino) and Madam Valeta (Palace Music).

“She got the 1000^thfor Danielle and the record for Jamie, and I'm pretty damn happy about it,” said Rodney Schick, Windsor Park. “I'm a big fan of the Te Akau operation and rapt to be a part of history.

“I thought she could have ended up being unlucky, actually, so I was pleased to see that she got out on the corner and when she was let go she put it to bed. She got herself out of a bit of trouble.

“She's taken a bit of time, but we'll probably race her again next year. She's a granddaughter of Greta Hall and from one of our best families.”

Feelin' Fancy was strapped by Sarah West.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz