Fast Approaching returns to the winners circle at Caulfield

The Kavanagh stable heralded in the New Year with a city winner when consistent mare Fast Approaching won the Ewen Stafford Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Runner up at Sandown at her previous outing and at her fourth run in, Fast Approaching had her hoof on the proverbial 'till' and was sent out as race favourite.

After bouncing first from the gates Fast Approaching eventually settled in fourth behind leader The New Boy who set a genuine tempo. She made her run approaching the home turn along with Baby Don't Cry who carried her four wide around the bend. They claimed The New Boy with two hundred to run and though Baby Don't Cry kicked tenaciously on her inside Fast Approaching rallied under the spirited riding of Nick Hall and drew away to win by a length.

The win was the fourth in just eleven starts for the four-year-old and her first this campaign after she posted three consecutive wins as a three-year-old.

Fast Approaching is a daughter of the Epsom Derby winner New Approach and the Listed winner Just A Kiseki, who won six races from 1600-2400 metres. Her stakes victory came in the WATC ATA Stakes run over 2200 metres so it is perhaps surprising that despite the obvious stamina of her parents Fast Approaching has recorded her wins over the shorter distances of 1300 & 1400 metres.

A big group of owners were on hand to support their mare who has now accumlated $178,570 in prizes.

Congratulations to Mrs I P Kavanagh, Mrs C Flapper, Mr W J Fletcher, Mr J M Flynn, Mr S T Mcquiggin, Mr M P Morris, Mr W J Peterson, Mr J F Raftery, Mrs C D Ryan, S O S Racing and Mr R Biddle.

It was a good day out for the stable overall with Egypt running a handy third in what was her first foray into town and likewise Land of Freedom who was fourth behind the promising Golden Spin.

Meanwhile speedstress Wild Rain earned her biggest pay cheque without winning when runner up in the Magic Millions Sprint on the Gold Coast. The daughter of Manhattan Rain banked over $190,000 for her efforts bringing her prizemoney to over half a million dollars (in sixteen starts).