22nd July 2023
Classy sprinter Phanta broke through for his first feature win with a sizzling all-the-way performance in the Listed HG Bolton Sprint (1200m) at Belmont Park on Saturday.
Another successful tried horse purchase by co-trainers Chris and Michael Gangemi, Phanta ($5.50) was fired straight to the front by jockey Brad Parnham and exploded clear at the top of the straight.
He was never threatened first-up and bolted in by 1-1/2 lengths from Panzdown ($15).
Western Temple ($61) ran third and Real Danger, the $4.60 favourite, faded to ninth after being trapped wide throughout.
The Gangemi brothers had Phanta primed to fire at his first start since a close second to Angelic Miss in the Scenic Blast Stakes (1200m) at Ascot in January.
“He’s got really bad feet, so in summer on the hard tracks it’s not ideal for him,” Chris Gangemi said.
“That’s why I was super confident coming into today.
“He’s had a faultless prep, his feet are the best they’ve ever been and he obviously came out and raced accordingly.
“He’s been working super for the last month or two now.
“He can go to the Newmarket in three weeks, then the Idyllic Prince and Farnley. They’re all nice races for him.”
Phanta, who started his career for former trainer Justin Warwick, improved his record to six wins from 16 starts.