Racing: Fanatic regains top form

Mark Hills eases up on impressive winner Fanatic at Te Rapa yesterday. Photo / Trish Dunell

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 group one New Zealand Oaks on protest when she proved a class above her opposition in yesterday'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 group one Caulfield Cup and forced her early return home.

The four-year-old was unplaced when resuming in the group two 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 group three Wallaceville Estate Wellington Cup and the group one Auckland Cup with the latter feature at Ellerslie her more likely target.

The stable and Hills had earlier celebrated a victory from their $1 million group one Vodafone New Zealand Derby hope Wehadadeal in thebestlittlebookstoreco.nz 1400.

"It was a good effort and we thought he would go close," Sweeney said. "He was left a sitting duck the other day. He's a nice, relaxed horse with a lovely attitude."

Wehadadeal had placed at his first two appearances before his last-start fifth at Waipukurau.

- NZ Racing Desk.