Robert Sangster Stakes runner-by-runner form assessments and selections
The $1 million Robert Sangster Stakes has drawn together a classy field of sprinting fillies and mares and here is our form assessment of each of the runners.
There was a field of 16 runners declared for the 1200m contest.
Here is a runner-by-runner analysis of every horse set to line up on Saturday.
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1 – ASFOORA
Speed machine best known for her performances over 1000m and 1100m. Won the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot last year. Returned earlier this month and again got the job done in the RN Irwin Stakes (1100m). Wide draw to overcome and yet to win over 1200m.
VERDICT: The last 50m will be her problem.
Asfoora returned to Australia in fine style earlier today at Morphettville! @HDwyerRacing pic.twitter.com/asBhWSkndt
— 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) April 12, 2025
2 – STRETAN ANGEL
Quality mare that doesn't win too often but she has contested some of the best sprint races in the land over the past 12 months. Finished a close fourth in the VRC Sprint (1200m) last November and this year was second in the Lightning (1000m), third in the Newmarket (1200m) and fourth in the William Reid (1200m). Drawn a mid gate.
VERDICT: The horse to beat off recent runs.
Joliestar too good in the Newmarket Handicap! � @LaneDamian @cwallerracing pic.twitter.com/wvIssTJSPz
— 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) March 8, 2025
3 – CLIMBING STAR
Quality mare that won this race last year and since then she's placed third in The Goodwood (1200m), fifth in the Manikato (1200m) and recently resumed with a strong closing third in the RN Irwin Stakes (1100m). Suited at set weights and has proven herself up to this grade.
VERDICT: One of the leading contenders.
CLIMBING STAR WINS THE SANGSTER! â�ï¸�
LACHLAN NIENDORF WINS HIS FIRST GROUP 1! @pstokesracing @LNeindorf @RacingSA pic.twitter.com/bqxVvebHHX
— 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) April 27, 2024
4 – ESTRIELLA
Been terribly out of form for much of the season since winning the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m) back in October last year. Since then she's been well beaten three times at Group 1 level in the VRC Sprint (1200m), Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and the Galaxy (1100m). Drawn to get every chance.
VERDICT: Capable with her A-game but not going well enough.
Estriella returns back to form and wins the Millennium Sprint! ðŸ'›ðŸ'š @cmaherracing @BMelham pic.twitter.com/4WDHvLtZ3N
— 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) October 19, 2024
5 – SEE YOU IN HEAVEN
Local mare resuming form a spell. Given a sounding out with the blinkers on in her recent Balaklava trial. Is a proven fresh performer, winning the Group 3 Behemoth in her two previous racing campaigns. Drawn to get every possible chance.
VERDICT: Can make an each-way case for her.
6 – A LITTLE DEEP
Beat the boys in the Chautauqua Stakes last spring at The Valley then placed in two solid mares' races over 1200m. Resumed at Flemington late last month and took the prize when winning an open handicap with 60kg. Went through her paces winning a jumpout since and looks primed to peak here from a good draw.
VERDICT: Genuine each-way contender.
A Little Deep digs deep to take the first at Flemington. pic.twitter.com/Yv2vtk9PFo
— 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) March 29, 2025
7 – COMMEMORATIVE
Heavily backed but found one better late in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes during The Championships. That run followed a somewhat unlucky performance when strung up on the inside in the Group 1 Galaxy (1100m). She's actually suitably drawn here with an outside barrier as she's a big girl and appreciates room to move. Her form is solid for this.
VERDICT: Looks well placed of her form this prep.
Infancy wins the G2 Sapphire Stakes first up! ðŸ'ƒ @Leesracing | @aus_turf_club | @WorldPool pic.twitter.com/SrQ277ZbHj
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 12, 2025
8 – AVIATRESS
Lightly raced mare with a strong record. Won first-up over 1200m in the Matrice Stakes before a midfield finish last time out when coming back in trip to 1100m and beaten less than two lengths in the RN Irwin Stakes (1100m). She was doing her best work late last time and is better suited back out to 1200m. Drawn favourably.
VERDICT: Not without place claims back up to 1200m.
Hot favourite Aviatress wins the Matrice Stakes! @RJollyRacing pic.twitter.com/yQRrA7HlEp
— 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) March 29, 2025
9 – CHARM STONE
Quality sprinter when at her peak but she's struggled to recapture what she showed as a three-year-old. Resumes here after a winless campaign which had a couple of solid performances including a close up third in the Rising Fast at Flemington over 1200m on Derby Day. Won a recent trial and the stable do get them to produce fresh. Tricky gate but Mark Zahra's aboard.
VERDICT: Depends which one turns up but at her best she'd have winning claims.
He's back! ⚡�
MAHARBA flies up the Flemington straight to hold on in the Group 3 G.H. Mumm Rising Fast Stakes.
🎥 @wwos | #DerbyDay | #MelbCupCarnival pic.twitter.com/3AezQ3jWe6
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 2, 2024
10 – ROLL ON HIGH
Doesn't win too often but rarely runs a poor race. Her last two performances have been solid in easier races over 1100m and 1400m. Drawn to get every favour from the inside barrier and capable of racing near the speed. Did beat Stefi Magnetica last year in the Fred best Classic over 1400m.
VERDICT: She's not the worst.
Nicolini Vito shoots through the gap to win the Victoria Handicap! @lindsayparkrace pic.twitter.com/hl0v5H0wJ8
— 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) April 5, 2025
11 – PRAIRIE FLOWER
Locally-trained mare that is a consistent performer, from 1100m to 1200m. Always around the mark in mares races and was a close up third in the Rubiton Stakes earlier this year before a midfield finish in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m). Her last two run have both been over 1100m and she's been attacking the line. Wide gate to overcome.
VERDICT: Place claims are strongest.
12 – DAKOTA LEE
Northern Territory galloper chasing a sixth straight win. She's the winner of 12 from 13 starts with all of her victories coming on the dirt at Alice Springs. Her only defeat was on turf at The Valley in February last year when down the track in a 1000m Benchmark 64 race.
VERDICT: Hard to line up but doubt her form will measure up here.
13 – AUSTMARR
Speed machine that led them a merry dance at Rosehill recently when leading throughout to win the Birthday Card Stakes over 1200m. Since then, she's been given a tick over trial in Victoria in preparation for this, her toughest assignment. Consistent mare that will give them something to catch.
VERDICT: Will be in this for a long way.
Austmarr closes out the day at Rosehill with a win in the G3 TAB Birthday Card Stakes for @FreedmanRacing and @KPMcEvoy! @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/nWynTgw8Pi
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 22, 2025
14 – AMEENA
Three-year-old filly returning from a break with two trials under the belt. First-up in the spring she won the Silver Shadow (1200m) beating some of Sydney's better fillies before a second to Manaal, beating Lazzura, in the Furious Stakes over the same trip. Looked good winning a recent trial and the fillies form mostly held up during the autumn carnival.
VERDICT: Big market watch here.
Ameena races home and gets the nose in front at the right time to win the Silver Shadow Stakes for @FreedmanRacing! � pic.twitter.com/Px9T6DKXEd
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 24, 2024
15 – SHE'S GOT PIZZAZZ
Progressive filly that came to Sydney last time off an on pace second in the VOBIS Gold Dash (1200m) and she then got back and stormed home to score in the PJ Bell Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on the second day of The Championships. Drawn to get all the favours here and she's a filly on the up.
VERDICT: Can make an each-way case for her.
That's pizzazz alright! ðŸ'ƒ
She's Got Pizzazz takes the G3 P J Bell Stakes and gives @blake_shinn a Randwick double! @kscoleman | @moodyracingpgm | @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/Vd4XWGGlcB
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025
16 – JASMIN ROUGE
Lightly raced filly going into the deep end here. Impossible to line her form up against the older mares but at just her second start she won a 1200m Group 3 for fillies at Caulfield late last year. Made her 2025 return in the Moomba Plate (1100m) and came from well back to record a solid fourth. Given an easy time in a recent trial and gets Ben Melham from the outside gate.
VERDICT: Faces a task at start four from the outside draw.
Alabama Lass has led all the way to win the 1100m event.
First run, first win in Australia after a success stint in New Zealand. @CWilliamsJockey pic.twitter.com/cUepHAeH9J
— 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) March 29, 2025
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TIPS
1st – STRETAN ANGEL (No. 2)
2nd – CLIMBING STAR (No. 3)
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