Former Darley shuttler Fantastic Light sired LR Tasmanian Oaks winner La Fantastique last Thursday and his mare Our Serena staked a serious claim for the G2 Adelaide Cup at Bendigo on Sunday.
Our Serena (4m Fantastic Light – Tygry by Silver Hawk) was an impressive winner of the $75,000 Summer Showcase Final (2400m) for trainer Pat Carey. “She’s run some very credible races in a lot better company and deserved this win,” Carey claimed. “She’s a very durable horse and the Adelaide Cup will suit.”
Carey was also overdue for a change of luck. His stayer Cedarberg had the LR Mornington Cup won for all money last Wednesday but was collared by Guyno in the last stride.
Carey bought Our Serena for $24,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions National yearling sale from the draft of Emerald Thoroughbreds. Her only other win before the Bendigo Showcase was in a Seymour maiden but she was runner-up in the LR VRC Bagot Hcp at Flemington on New Year’s Day.
Her dam Tygry, who died in November 2007, was a USA bred daughter of stakes winning Zilzal mare Monaassabaat. Her first Sunny Smiles (Flying Spur) is a Hong Kong winner for trainer Danny Shum.
Fantastic Light shuttled to Australia for five years until 2006 and he could claim a feature double at Morphettville next month. Our Serena will be nominated for the G2 Adelaide Cup on March 14 and La Fantastique will target the G1 South Australian Oaks on March 26.