Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Lightly-raced New Zealand-bred gelding Mr Fantastic is living up to his name and he is emerging as a leading candidate for the rich feature events for four-year-olds at the end of the year.
The Bettors Delight gelding, trained by Justin Prentice, notched his seventh win from 12 starts in Western Australia when he outclassed his rivals in the 2536m Team Bond and The Running Camel Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Prentice is excited at Mr Fantastic’s progress, and he has high expectations that the gelding will be a leading player in the $50,000 Four-Year-Old Championship (November 18), the $125,000 Four-Year-Old Classic (December 2) and the $200,000 Golden Nugget (December 16).
One of the favourites for the upcoming feature events for four-year-olds is the Prentice-trained Mighty Ronaldo, along with Lavra Joe and Jumpingjackmac.
Mighty Ronaldo has earned $371,196 from nine wins and 11 placings from 27 starts, with his successes including the Golden Slipper in July 2020, the Three-Year-Old Sales Classic in February 2021, the WA Derby in April 2021 and the Bunbury Cup in March of this year.
“Mr Fantastic’s work at home suggests he is as good as Mighty Ronaldo, even though Mighty Ronaldo has got the runs on the board in the big races,” said Prentice. “We will probably race Mr Fantastic sparingly right through, leading up to the big feature events.”
Mr Fantastic was the $1.10 favourite in Friday night’s field of seven, and Hall left nothing to chance when he revved up the gelding at the start from barrier six to burst straight to the lead.
“He is pretty laid back, and Junior was keen to get him to the front,” said Prentice. Managing part-owner Kevin Jeavons was delighted with Mr Fantastic’s performance, saying: “He’s deceptive and he certainly runs along. We watched him race in New Zealand and were happy to be able to purchase him.”
Mr Fantastic had 11 starts in New Zealand for four wins and two placings, and his seven wins and two seconds from 12 WA starts have improved his record to 23 starts for 11 wins, four placings and $103,842 in prizemoney.
Mr Fantastic gave his rivals little chance to challenge him on Friday night when he dashed over the final four 400m sections in 29.7sec., 29.1sec., 29.1sec. and 28.7sec. He rated 1.58.1 in beating $13 chance Illawong Mustang by a length and a half.
Mr Fantastic is the second foal out of the Art Major mare Its All On, who had 12 starts for two wins, two placings and $10,200 in stakes. Her first foal, also by Bettors Delight, is Bettor Get It On, who has earned $108,365 from eight wins, 11 seconds and three thirds from 38 starts. His wins include the Group 3 Coulson Pace and the Group 2 Empress Stakes in April this year when he defeated Savvy Bromac.
Its All On is a half-sister to good performers Presido and My Sound Of Thunder, each of whom who raced in WA a decade ago. Presido had 98 starts for 12 wins, 17 placings and $153,575, and My Sounds Of Thunder raced 35 times for 11 wins, 13 placings and $134,841. My Sounds Of Thunder had five starts in WA for two wins at Gloucester Park and three placings, including a second to Jumbo Operator in the 2010 Navy Cup.