SEEKING A FANTASTIC VIEW
In the first 10 days of October, Distant View has sired two
Graded stakes winners and six individual winners.
Sightseek, a four-year-old daughter out of Viviana (Nureyev),
won the Gr.1 Beldame Stakes at Belmont Park by an easy 4 ½ lengths
over 2003 Kentucky Oaks winner Bird Town. This victory was the
fourth consecutive Grade 1 for Sightseek. Sightseek was close up
early, then dropped three lengths off the pace down the backside.
She re-engaged from the outside around the turn, collared Bird Town
turning for home and drew clear when asked. She covered the 1 1/8
miles in 1:49.27. It’s now on to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff to take
on defending Champion Azeri, with an Eclipse Award on the line.
While Sightseek dominates older females in the U.S., Distant
View’s two-year-old Fantastic View earned a 25-1 quote for the 2004
2000 Guineas with an impressive victory in the Gr.3 Autumn Stakes.
A son of Promptly (Lead on Time), Fantastic View was always
traveling easily, and with two furlongs remaining in the one mile
event, took a clear lead and was never threatened, winning by a
comfortably four lengths. “He travels very well in a race,” said
trainer Richard Hannon. It was Fantastic View’s second consecutive
stakes victory after taking the Stardom Stakes (LR) at Goodwood.
The Racing Post states, “A small field for a race that has been won
by some smart performers in recent years, notably Dr Fong,
Daliapour, and Nayef. Fantastic View won easily, cruising upsides
Elshadi early in the straight and quickly taking charge. He gave
weight and a handsome beating to three potentially useful winners,
and the 40-1 with Victor Chandler for the 2,000 Guineas looks on
the big side for a colt one could see winning one of the trials.”
Fantastic View is owned by Mahlih Albasti.
Date:
14 October 2003