Light Fantastic Returns Triumphant

16th August 2008

The Group Two MRC JJ Liston Stakes at Cauflield on Saturday was billed as a clash of the titans and so it turned out with unbeaten Light Fantastic (4g Danehill Dancer x Leica or Not, by Kendor) emerging with his record intact after defeating last season’s champion three year-old Weekend Hussler and acknowledged Group One star Maldivian.

A long striding dark grey with a silver mane and tail, Light Fantastic is impossible to miss in the run and settled perfectly for Craig Newitt just behind Weekend Hussler in sixth place.

Asked for an effort at the top of the straight, Light Fantastic powered past the Hussler and maintained a decisive advantage to the line, scoring by the best part of a length with Maldivan a head away in third.

“My gut feeling today was that he’d run well but probably get beaten, so it’s great to win, although he’ll sleep well tonight!” quipped winning trainer Mick Price.

“It’s three weeks to the next run and you just hope he pulls up well as he didn’t trial leading into this.”

Light Fantastic is being aimed for one race this spring the Group One MVRC W.S. Cox Plate, with the Liston Stakes the first of a five-race program set down for the son of outstanding sire Danehill Dancer.

“What a horse!” declared Craig Newitt.

“He was more relaxed today then previously and I was happy to follow Weekend Hussler. He has a fantastic will to win and really loves a dog-fight, which is what he got today… round one to us!”

A home bred for Mr and Mrs Bob Scarborough’s Wood Nook Farm, Light Fantastic has now won five out of five with prizemoney of $775,500, having ended his last preparation with a Group One victory in the VRC Australian Guineas over 1600 metres at Flemington.

He is the third stakes-winner and second Group One winner from 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 is by sensational sire Danehill Dancer, a versatile shuttle stallion who is currently the leading sire of two year-olds in Europe.

A regular shuttler to Australia since 1997, Danehill Dancer failed to cover here last year as a result of EI but will be back in action at Jerry’s Plains this spring at a fee of $110,000.