Fast ‘N’ Famous Sets His Sights on Melbourne Spring Glory

Monday, 06 September 0202 00:00

Prodigiously gifted sprinter Fast 'N' Famous will be afforded the opportunity to live up to his glamorous name by chasing group one glory later in the spring after cruising to his fourth consecutive victory in the That Hat Doesn't Fit Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill today.

"He showed his true colours today," remarked a satisfied trainer John O'Shea.

"I'm not sure where we will go next with him but he's going to step up now."

"At this stage I would like to run him in either the Salinger or the Gilgai," he revealed.

The G3 Gilgai Stakes, scheduled to be run at Flemington on October 7, and the G1 Salinger Stakes, also programmed to be run down the straight six on November 4, will suit Fast ‘N' Famous according to O'Shea.

"I think he will be a nice straight six horse."

Today, the lightly raced - just six starts to his credit thus far - and exquisitely bred Fast ‘N' Famous expended minimal energy in registering his fourth career win when sprinting well clear of his vastly inferior rivals and stopping the clock at a superb 1:09.75.

Champion jockey Darren Beadman even had the luxury of a cheeky peep over his left shoulder passing the 200m as he guided Fast ‘N' Famous home to a facile 3 ½ lengths win under hands and heels riding from Mr Incredible and Te Deum.

"That was impressive. He's a very smart horse," commented Beadman after dismounting.

Fast ‘N' Famous has always displayed well above average ability from the moment he stepped onto the racetrack as a two-year-old in February 2005.

Whilst his 2yo campaign yielded no successes he did race in the best of company against the likes of Fashions Afield, Written Tycoon and Pendragon before being sent to the paddock by O'Shea who clearly felt he would make a better 3yo.

But unfortunately those plans went awry when, after winning his only 3yo start by 3.3 lengths, he had his progress interrupted by a pelvic injury which of course required time to heal.

But thanks to O'Shea's patience and persistence Fast ‘N' Famous is now fully rehabilitated and appears poised to finally realise his potential.

Secured for $660,000 at the 2004 Easter Yearling Sale Fast 'N' Famous is owned by The Yellow Brick Rd Co Syndicate which is headed up by, among others, Waikato Stud's Gary Chittick.

A handsome four-year-old by marquee stallion Redoute's Choice from the duel listed winner Zalinda, Fast ‘N' Famous is a descendant of the excellent NZ matriarch Royal News whom he counts as his fourth dam.

Sired by Cambridge Stud's super stallion Zabeel, Zalinda is a daughter of G1 Railway Handicap winning mare Alynda, by Nassau from Betty Box, and is a half-sister to NZ G3 winner Alinsky, by Stravinsky, and a three-quarter sister to stakes winners Altrista, by Sir Tristram, and Capestad, by Kaapstad.

Other esteemed family members include Maroof's VRC Derby winning son Hit The Roof, AJC Derby hero Ivory's Irish, G2 St Leger winner Full At Last, Big Barron, which annexed the 1992 G2 The Dalgety (now known as the G3 Saab Quality), and Queensland listed winner Fresno Canyon.

PIC - Sportpix.