Fogden gambles on gear change with Phantom Falcon

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Kacy Fogden is hoping a gear change will be the key to former Hong Kong sprinter Phantom Falcon returning to his best form at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Fogden has removed blinkers and will use winkers on Phantom Falcon when the rising eight-year-old tackles the Open Handicap over 1200 metres.

Fogden hopes Phantom Falcon will be the first leg of a rare city double, with strong claims thanks to Derulo in the 1200-metre QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap.

Phantom Falcon won first-up over 1100 metres in Class 6 grade at the Gold Coast last month before racing in similar company behind Desert Lord at Ipswich two weeks later.

Phantom Falcon is a son of Swiss Ace - winner of the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate in 2009 - and is coming off a last start fourth to the John O’Shea-trained Southern Land in the Listed Ramornie Handicap at Grafton last week.

“I expected him to run well in the Ramornie but unfortunately there was no speed on,” Fogden said.

“I didn’t want him to lead but he jumped so well he had to go to the front.

“I’m taking the blinkers off and adding winkers in the hope he can settle a bit more and not over-race.

“It’ll be nice if he can settle and get some cover as he’ll run well.”

Fogden has booked Mark Du Plessis to partner Phantom Falcon as well as Derulo who will be chasing a hat-trick of wins.

A son Spill The Beans, Derulo won at the Gold Coast before proving too good in the Provincial Sprint Final at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.

“He gets his chance and it looks an interesting race,” Fogden said.

“I made sure when I first took him over that he would have a good grounding so he could sustain a long preparation.

“He’ll probably go for a spell after this and come back for the summer as there’s only two more QTIS races available for him.”

Fogden originally hails from New Zealand but has been in Australia for 11 years.

She worked for six years for Aquis Farm in the Gold Coast hinterland before branching out on her own to train two years ago.

“I’ve got about 20 horses in work but I still train a few for Aquis,” she said.

Derulo started his racing career with Rodney Miller in far north Queensland winning four of his first five starts.

He then had three starts for Gold Coast trainer John Smerdon before joining Fogden’s stable at the start of the year.

In five starts for Fogden, Derulo has won twice and was placed on another occasion.