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The Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m, Group 1, weight-for-age) is the premier sprint race for Australian fillies and mares. Join The Roar for our live coverage of the race, with the start time set for 4:15pm AEST.
Like the Australasian Oaks, this race has moved from March to a late April time slot to ensure the best mares from around Australia can compete.
Victorian trainers have dominated this race, winning every edition since it secured Group 1 status in 2005. The most memorable running was in 2012, when Black Caviar chalked up her 20th win on the road to Royal Ascot.
I’m not expecting a great deal of pace. Satin Shoes led last start at a good clip, but weakened. She is questionable at the trip, so they may decide to ride her quieter. Driefontein has drawn wide and may push forward, while Gregers sat on the speed last start and stuck on well.
Platelet is the defending champ and for the second consecutive year is coming off a second in the Irwin Stakes. With the scratching of Miracles of Life, she is the only Group 1 winner in the field and will be ready to peak today ridden a touch colder.
Driefontein won the Irwin off a six-week freshen, sprinting right past Platelet. Her dry track stats are excellent, she makes her own luck and Gai Waterhouse gallopers are starting to clean up the majors.
Just Discreet made ground into third and will appreciate the 1200m, while Molto Bene was forgivable although the bar plates going on are a major concern.
The fillies are headed by Villa Verde, who raced exceptionally well over the Sydney carnival in her first preparation with Anthony Cummings. After winning the Challenge Stakes, she was unlucky in The Galaxy and didn’t handle the bottomless track at Randwick against the real A-graders in the TJ Smith.
She will appreciate the drop in class, although she is still yet to salute the judge over 1200m in six attempts.
Gregers has appreciated sticking to the sprinting trips this time in and was extremely impressive at Flemington, defeating Anatina (a Group 1 place-getter since), Tango’s Daughter and Politeness (stakes winners since). She was brave in the William Reid against some handy older sprinters and has form behind Lanken Rupee.
Of the others, A Time For Julia drops to the 1200m after a five-week freshen. She raced consistently in Sydney, challenging Red Tracer on a wet track and finishing just behind the placegetters in the Coolmore Classic.
Shamal Wind has promised the world and has her chance to deliver today. She showcased her explosive finish at Flemington over 1000m last start and might be looking for the 1200m.
Halle Rocks was huge against the pattern at Caulfield when recording her first win over more than 1000m. Mick Price has a terrific record in this race and always places his horses well.
The rail staying in the true position should help the back markers, so even with a steady tempo it should be easy to make ground from the second half of the field.
Sam Kelly’s Tips
1. Gregers
2. Platelet
3. Villa Verde
4. Driefontein
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