Fanatic ($4) has justified her favouritism with a thrilling win in the Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville this afternoon.
Jockey Michael Walker continues a great week after piloting Harlem to the Australian Cup on Saturday. The Lindsay Park were understandably ecstatic with the win and also capped a huge week, rich with feature race success.
Taking a position at the tail of the field after jumping well, Walker allowed the likes stable mate Al Haram ($17) and Tunes ($41) to dictate the early tempo as he settled into a comfortable pace past the post the first time.
The Shocking mare was nice and relaxed rounding the bend and a gap opened perfectly for Walker as the field straightened. Fanatic showed an electric turn of foot to burst through the inside and got the better of market mover Ormito in the final strides of the Adelaide Cup.
Walker couldn’t have been happier with the result.
“She produced when she needed and peaked for this run, I’m tickled pink with the result” he said.
Walker was impressed how the five-year-old was able to relax heading into the final turn.
“It opened up 1400m out and I could see the run, it was a beautiful run and we worked into the race in our own time.”
Trainer Ben Hayes was elated with the result and the ride by Walker.
“Mickey Walker blew the whistle and got the rails, amazing ride by Walker, he was patient and I can’t believe the run opened up for him, he didn’t go around one horse and it was fantastic” he said.
Hayes was left in no doubt about the horse’s form and was adamant the Sydney Cup was the next assignment.
“She is at the elite level and an absolute superstar and she’ll head to the Sydney for the Cup after this.”
Fanatic has firmed into Sydney Cup odds of $21 following the 2018 Adelaide Cup.