The Ciaron Maher stable is anticipating that Fancify’s race readiness will provide a crucial advantage in Saturday’s Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington.

This Group 3 race will be Fancify’s fourth start since her relocation to the Maher stable from Michael Hickmott’s Murray Bridge base.

During her time with Hickmott, the mare secured Group 3 black type in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes at Flemington during the 2024 Melbourne Cup carnival, a victory that remains her most recent triumph.

She has also demonstrated her quality with placings at stakes level, including a second-place finish in last year’s Listed Wylie Stakes at Morphettville, and earlier finishing runner-up in the Gold Topaz at Swan Hill.

Fancify’s most recent performance was in the Leilani Series Final at Flemington on July 4, where she led the field before fading in the run to the line over 1400 metres, ultimately finishing second last.

National assistant trainer Jack Turnbull stated the stable’s deliberate choice to bring the mare back to 1200 metres, rather than contest another 1400-metre benchmark race, in order to chase valuable black type.

“We just felt coming back in trip as she had been racing pretty fresh and free, that if we can ride her back behind a couple that is her best pattern we have seen for us,” Turnbull said.

“It’s a small field which helps and the topweight has a lot of weight, but he is a good horse, but it’s a good opportunity for her.

“Race fitness, that’s her edge.

“She is Stakes performed and is well into her preparation, so rather than go back to another 1400-metre, which she would have been a proper chance in, she deserves a crack at a race like this.”

Apprentice rider Jabez Johnstone has retained the ride, even though the Group 3 race is a non-claiming event.

Johnstone is enjoying a stellar period, having ridden a double at Caulfield last Saturday and a four-win haul at Sandown on Wednesday.

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