Light Fantastic Takes Guineas

8th March 2008

A spectacular dark grey with silver mane and tail, three year-old gelding Light Fantastic (3g Danehill Dancer x Leica or Not, by Kendor) has taken the Melbourne racing scene by storm over the last month, graduating from a maiden win at Kyneton on February 3 to Group One success in the VRC Cadbury Australian Guineas at Flemington on Saturday.

Sent out favourite for his first attempt at a Group One assignment, the Mick Price trained Light Fantastic went to the gates unbeaten having followed his initial 'soft kill' at Kyneton with ultra impressive victories in the Listed MVRC Nissan Stakes and Group Two MRC Perri Cutten Cup.

The son of Danehill Dancer jumped well for Craig Newitt and was ridden a heady race settling in third spot with his neck arched before being asked the question at the top of the straight.

He lengthened stride and shot to the lead, but with 100 metres to run the challengers appeared and for the first time in his brief career Light Fantastic was called upon for a serious soul searching effort.

He came up trumps, defying classy colt Marching to win by a neck with another autumn find in Playwright holding third place.

"I have never asked a horse to do what he has done and he sealed the deal today and did everything I have asked from him and he is clearly the best horse I have ever trained," said an elated Mick Price.

With four wins from as many starts and prizemoney of $647,500, Light Fantastic will now head to the spelling paddock in preparation for a spring assault on the Group One MVRC W.S. Cox Plate.

A home bred for Mr and Mrs Bob Scarborough’s Wood Nook Farm, Light Fantastic is the third stakes-winner and second Group One winner for the Kendor mare Leica or Not, a half-sister to dual Doncaster Handicap winner Pharoah.

A phenomenal looking individual, Light Fantastic is a half-brother to Group One New Zealand Derby winner Leica Guv and Group Three winner Lectrice being from the famed ‘Leica’ family that has been a prolific source of stakes-winners in this country for many years.

Light Fantastic becomes the eighth Group One winner worldwide for Danehill Dancer and is his second Australian Group One winner this season following on from Arapaho Miss, who captured the Group One VRC Oaks in the spring.

A regular shuttler to Australia since 1997, Danehill Dancer failed to cover here this year after being sent straight back to Ireland following the outbreak of EI, but he does have some outstanding yearlings to be offered at upcoming sales with 18 for Magic Millions on the Gold Coast and 12 for Inglis Easter.