Faatinah, Missrock out to emulate sires

Faatinah and Missrock will try to join a select group of sprinters to emulate their sires by winning the Group One Lightning Stakes at Flemington.

Four-year-old Faatinah is a son of 2010 winner Nicconi while Missrock is striving to become the first three-year-old since her sire Fastnet Rock in 2005 to win the weight-for-age sprint.

If either causes an upset in Saturday’s $750,000 race they would join Regimental Gal (2004), Sports (2001) and Zeditave (1989 to achieve the feat.

Regimental Gal’s sire General Nediym won in 1998, Sports’ sire Zeditave won in 1989 while his sire The Judge was successful a decade earlier.

Faatinah’s co-trainer David Hayes said the stable decided to head to the Lightning down the Flemington straight rather than next week’s Oakleigh Plate around Caulfield after Faatinah ran below par at that track last Saturday week.

“The ground was rock hard and he got a torrid run,” Hayes said.

“So I don’t know if it was the ground or what. But I gave him a gallop at Lindsay Park and he worked as good as a horse can work.

“He’s got blinkers on and he’s back to the straight where he won his best race. He could run well.”

Faatinah won the Group Two Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington in the spring.

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“I don’t think he’s as good as his dad,” Hayes said.

“But Lightning does strike twice, doesn’t it.

“He’s a dual Group Two winner, so he’s earned his spot in it. It’s a very good Lightning, but an even one.”

Faatinah is at $26 while Missrock is at $71.

The Robbie Laing-trained filly is one of three three-year-olds in the race, with colts Flying Artie and Star Turn favourites at $4 and $4.60 respectively.

Missrock is resuming after finishing fifth in the VRC Oaks (2500m) at the end of her winless spring.

She has won twice from three first-up attempts, both times as a two-year-old.

“When she won the Debutant, that was sensational,” Laing told RSN927.

“In the Percy Sykes she was fresh-up, and likewise on Saturday. She galloped brilliantly during the week. You’ll see a big strong filly, blinkers first time and Craig (Williams) was happy enough to ride her.

“It’s a good field, an even field. There’s a couple of three-year-olds there that might be outstanding, but we are prepared to take them on and have a crack.”