The Ciaron Maher stable is banking on Fancify’s race fitness to give her the advantage in Saturday’s Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington.

This Group 3 event will be Fancify’s fourth start since her transfer from Michael Hickmott’s Murray Bridge stable.

During her time with Hickmott, the mare achieved Group 3 success in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes at Flemington during the 2024 Melbourne Cup week, which remains her most recent win.

She has also performed well at stakes level, finishing second in last year’s Listed Wylie Stakes at Morphettville, and two starts back was second in the Gold Topaz at Swan Hill.

Fancify’s last race was the Leilani Series Final at Flemington on July 4, where she led before fading in the closing stages over 1400 metres, completing the race second last.

National assistant trainer Jack Turnbull explained the stable’s decision to drop the mare back to 1200 metres, instead of contesting another 1400-metre benchmark race, in their bid for 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 Jabez Johnstone has retained the ride, despite the Group 3 being a non-claiming race.

Johnstone is in outstanding form currently, having ridden a double at Caulfield last Saturday and then a four-win haul at Sandown on Wednesday.

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