Fanatic’s fantastic ambition
“If she managed to win then we would go full steam ahead to a Melbourne Cup. If not we will lower our goals a little bit,” Moore said.
“I’d say she would be a rung below (the top stayers) at this stage.
“But going into the Caulfield Cup we thought maybe Boom Time would be a Group 3, Group 2 horse at best and he really surprised us. When they are in form and raring to go they can surprise.
“She is down in the ballot (39th for the Melbourne Cup). She would need to win here and then maybe even run at Flemington in the Lexus Stakes (to get in).”
Fanatic comes into the race on one of the spring’s best form lines, having finished sixth in the Group 2 Herbert Power at Caulfield.
From that race came Boom Time and Caulfield Cup fourth placegetter Lord Fandango.
Gallic Chieftain beat home Boom Time in that race and as a result has been installed $3.20 favourite for the Geelong Cup.
“The Herbert Power has turned into an unbelievable form race,” Moore said.
“It was probably a bit light on heading into the weekend but it looks like it’s a really handy race now.
“It was a brutally run race but she hit the line well. She’s a Group 1 winner in New Zealand and we are happy with how she is ticking along. We are pretty confident she will acquit herself really well.”
Hayes won the Geelong Cup in 2015 with Almoonqith, who went on to run 18th in the Melbourne Cup and then won the Sandown Cup.
“It’s a race we always have on the agenda,” Moore said.
“We put it on the agenda after the Herbert Power.
“It was either here or Bendigo and it just worked out better if we were to get into a Melbourne Cup then it gives us a little bit more time to get there.”
Star former New Zealand jockey Michael Walker has been booked to ride Fanatic from barrier three.
It’s the same number Boom Time drew in the Caulfield Cup. “Maybe its an omen for another cup,” Moore said.