Fancy Like Lass (NZ) (Hellbent) has been no stranger to adversity and a black-type credit would be just reward for the gallant mare.
Several setbacks have been overcome by the lightly raced daughter of Hellbent who on Saturday will bid to make the most of her first crack at stakes company.
The Sue Thompson-Brown and Mick Brown-trained sprinter returns to Trentham, where she is a two-time winner, to contest the Listed Bill Tito Book Repair Specialist Lightning Handicap (1200m).
Fancy Like Lass will be partnered by Kate Hercock, who has forged a formidable partnership with the five-year-old having guided her to all four of her victories from just 11 appearances with a further quartet of runner-up finishes on her CV.
“I was surprised it is such a big field, but we’re happy to have drawn seven and that gives us a few options,” Mick Brown said.
“We’re happy with her and the ground will be all right as well and that last race has brought her on. With a bit of an easing in the track, she should let down a lot better.”
Fancy Like Lass was unplaced last time out on a Good3 surface and had previously finished second in a career that has been punctuated by lengthy injury breaks.
“Everyone knows she had a leg problem, she did a tendon and we scanned it and there was a bit of a tear so we did all the rehab,” Brown said.
“We got her rescanned and she came back into work, so it was a slow, slow build-up.
“Our farrier Johnny Hughes has also kept her sound, he does a brilliant job with her.”
Fancy Like Lass is raced by Margaret Harkema and was a $2100 purchase via Gavelhouse.
“She’s also had a tie forward operation, she’s a Grade Four in her breathing so she’s got a wind problem as well, but she’s pretty tough and genuine,” Brown said.
“She’s a lovely mare and Margaret has been brilliant so it would be so nice to get a bit of black type.”
Safely through this weekend, she may go to the Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) at Otaki before a break.
Bred by Nearco Stud, Fancy Like Lass is the first foal of the Choisir mare Mandalong Belle who is a half-sister to the multiple Singapore stakes winner Spanish Bay.
It is a speedy family with Mandalong Belle’s dam a half-sister to the Gr.1 Surround Stakes (1400m) winner Khaptivaan who produced the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) winner Khaptingly.
