Lindsay Park have confirmed that talented sprinter Faatinah will sport blinkers when he lines up in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday.
Multiple stakes winner Faatinah will wear blinkers for the first time in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Jenny Barnes
Faatinah was a standout performer for David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig in 2016; posting a number of standout results that were undoubtedly highlighted by wins in each of the Group 2 Euclase Stakes (1200m) and Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m).
Having failed to maintain to the line after leading in the Listed WJ Adams Plate (1000m) first-up on February 4th, David Hayes told Racing Victoria that the Nicconi gelding performed extremely well in a gallop while wearing blinkers and will subsequently carry the headwear in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes 2017.
“I put the blinkers on him and he did an exceptional gallop at Lindsay Park,” Hayes said
“It was simply outstanding.
“I just wanted to see where he was at and it was just a great piece of work.
“He had an absolute forgive run the other day at Caulfield where he got caught wide.
“I know it’s a tough race but his gallop was just brilliant and they can improve out of sight with blinkers.”
Faatinah made his competitive debut during the spring of 2015 and has subsequently posted an impressive record of four wins and as many minors through only fourteen competitive appearances.
Resuming in 2016 for a smart win in the Ubet BM70 (1200m) three weeks prior to his win in the Euclase Stakes, Faatinah was returned to the paddock after he charged home to finish fifth amongst particularly classy company in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) on May 21st.
Resuming in spring to win the Bobbie Lewis Quality, Faatinah was unable to maintain to the line when sixth in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m), but responded with strong runs for second in both the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m) and Listed MSS Security Sprint (1200m) and returned to the paddock after running fifth in the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1300m).
Faatinah is currently available at early 2017 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes odds of $21 with leading online bookie Ladbrokes.com.au.
