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News.com.au
22-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Royal Ascot champ Asfoora enjoys coastal build-up for Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes
Asfoora is no stranger to new surrounds, and a refreshing two weeks by the beach has the Royal Ascot champion ready to zero in on a maiden Group 1 win in Australia on Saturday. Henry Dwyer 's star mare returned with aplomb in the Group 3 Irwin Stakes earlier this month, defeating Sghirripa by a long neck, and is an equal $5 favourite with Sportsbet for Saturday's $1m Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville. Dwyer, who has spent the last two weeks in Adelaide with Asfoora, was buoyed by the Sangster lead-up, the mare's first race in seven months since a European campaign that saw her claim the King Charles III Stakes last June. 'She came through it well, it was a big, big effort, first-up for seven months and being able to win,' Dwyer, who trains at Ballarat, said. 'On the plus side, it wasn't a gut-busting run, she had a lovely soft run behind them and just had to peel off their backs. She might've been a little bit soft late, as you'd expert first-up for seven months. 'You'd expect her to have plenty of improvement in her, we've sort of seen that in her work this morning (Tuesday), she galloped really strongly and pulled up well – she's in a really good spot for Saturday.' Asfoora has been based with trainer David Jolly at Goolwa during this Adelaide campaign, an ideal set up that allows her to enjoy plenty of fresh air along with access to Goolwa Beach, which offers a therapeutic benefit. • Field and barriers: Robert Sangster Stakes, Australasian Oaks 'It suits her in particular, but I'd say any older horse, they love getting a bit of fresh air around, trained out of a yard and going to the beach,' he said. 'She copes with everything really well, she's obviously been around the world, she's a good, seasoned traveller so new environments don't worry her and it's probably good for her to spice things up a bit. '(We thought) if we ever did go to Adelaide, we'd like to keep her with David, we tend to have a few with him here. He's trained horses for us in the past. 'He's a terrific guy and very handy to have on board, he's got a great set up there so it suits us.' While Asfoora's preparation into the Sangster has been ideal, barrier 14 isn't, although the Sangster does have a history of winners from wide gates, including last year's victor Climbing Star, who drew 14. The past three Sangster winners have all drawn wider than 12. 'I would've liked to have drawn a middle barrier and ridden her a little bit quieter,' he said. 'Been midfield and given her a chance to see out a strong 1200m, but I suppose from 14 you either go right forward or right back so we'll have to work out which one we're doing.' "Welcome back to Australia!" Asfoora wins on her return to Australia with a tough win in the R N Irwin Stakes ðŸ'¥ @henrydwyer @AitkenMitch — (@Racing) April 12, 2025 • Jolly pair primed to lead local charge in Sangster Dwyer, is no stranger to success in Adelaide, he won the 2016 Sangster with Precious Gem, and spent some early years living in South Australia. He has fond memories of Morphettville, and also former racecourses Cheltenham and Victoria Park. 'I've had a bit of family history in Adelaide, my family lived over there for several years in my teens, I used to go out to Morphettville, Cheltenham and Vic Park, I'd watch the races and trials at Vic Park,' Dwyer said. 'I do have an affinity with Adelaide, we've won plenty of races over there. 'She's obviously won a Group 1 at Royal Ascot, but she hasn't won one in Australia, if she could do it in the Sangster – it would be great.' The Sangster will be Asfoora's last run in Adelaide before her next globetrotting mission. Dwyer is eyeing the Temple Stakes at Haydock, or the Prix Du Gros-Chene at Chantilly, as a lead-up run into Royal Ascot, as the pair strive to defend their King Charles III Stakes crown on June 17. Life’s a beach for Asfoora @DJollyRacing. Slipping into the ðŸ�–ï¸� lifestyle with a minimum of fuss. ðŸ'· The Rising Sun Photography — Henry Dwyer Racing (@HDwyerRacing) April 18, 2025
News.com.au
21-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Aviatress and See You In Heaven primed for Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday
Aviatress and See You In Heaven carry local hopes in Saturday's $1m Robert Sangster Stakes, and trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly have both of their stable stars primed for the first Group 1 of the Adelaide racing carnival at Morphettville. The pair enter Saturday's 1200m sprint ready to fire, yet both have enjoyed different preparations, Aviatress is third-up, and See You In Heaven is resuming following a five-month break between runs. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Aviatress, a daughter of Smart Missile, was dominant winning the Matrice Stakes (1200m) first-up, before a sixth-placed finish in the Group 3 Irwin Stakes (1100m), where not everything went to plan. 'In my eyes she wasn't disappointing, she drew (barrier) one and I reckon she was in the gates for five minutes before they jumped, there was a problem with a few loading,' Jolly said. 'She was just in the gates for an eternity and obviously jumped a bit slow and got a bit squeezed up after the start. 'In an 1100m race, you're on the back foot straight away, she was good on the line and strong late, back to 1200m is going to be better for her. She's come through the run great and we're looking forward to Saturday.' "And has got them on toast!" Aviatress turns on the afterburners & makes a mess of her rivals in the Northwood Plume 🚀 @RJollyRacing @CWilliamsJockey — (@Racing) October 12, 2024 • See You In Heaven, a five-time Group winner, has a formidable first-up record, her past two first-up runs have resulted in commanding Group 3 wins in the Behemoth Stakes (2023 and 2024). 'We've had no problems with her, she's had some documented hoof issues over her career, just a bit of bruising she gets on the hard tracks, she's been good this prep, we haven't had any dramas with her,' he said. 'She's good first-up, that's why we waited, she's been in work for a while to get ready for this, we're happy with where she's at. 'The query is whether she's quite at Group 1 level, but she is against mares, which is always an advantage when you're against your own sex.' "She's making a statement, see you in the spring!" See You In Heaven returns in grand style to win the G3 Behemoth Stakes â�ï¸� @RJollyRacing — (@Racing) August 10, 2024 • Victorians top betting on Adelaide Group 1 features Premiership-winning hoop Jake Toeroek will pilot Aviatress on Saturday, while Zac Spain, who won The Goodwood in 2022, will ride See You In Heaven. 'They're both quality mares on their day, I think Aviatress is the one that goes in rock hard fit, she's probably the one on her ratings that is good enough to win it,' Jolly said. 'See You In Heaven probably has to run right up to her best, that's why we elected to go first up with her, that's where she seems to let go and run her best races. 'I'm excited for both of them, it's hard enough to have one runner, let alone have two chances in it, and to have two bites of the cherry.' Jolly is also buoyed by the return of Sabaj. The classy gelding was last seen finishing runner-up to Gala Queen in the Morphettville Guineas on Adelaide Cup day, and has been freshened up ahead of Saturday's Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m). 'He's well, he's a quality horse. Back fresh, he's galloped quite well the last two weeks, I'm looking forward to that,' he said. Aviatress is an $11 chance with Sportsbet, while See You In Heaven is a $15 hope for the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes.
Herald Sun
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Victorian visitors head betting in South Australian Group 1 features Robert Sangster Stakes and Australasian Oaks
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Victorian-trained performers head early all-in betting markets on both Group 1 features to be decided in Adelaide on Saturday. Morphettville will host the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) for sprinting mares and the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) for three-year-old fillies. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Last year's Royal Ascot winner Asfoora tops Sangster Stakes betting at $4.50 after her strong first-up win in the Group 3 Irwin Stakes over 1100m. Previous Sangster Stakes winners Platelet (2013), Driefontein (2014) and Climbing Star (2024) emerged from the Irwin Stakes to claim their respective triumphs. Climbing Star is a $5 equal second pick to repeat last year's win after her close third in the Irwin Stakes when resuming from a spell. Godolphin mare Commemorative is the other $5 second favourite on the strength of her consistent form during the Sydney autumn carnival. Climbing Star's Phillip Stokes stablemate Stretan Angel is a $7 pick along with Sydney mare Sunshine In Paris, who finished third in last Saturday's Group 1 All Aged Stakes at Randwick. Travelling on a seven-day back-up is nothing new to Sunshine In Paris, who won the Group 1 Champions' Sprint at Flemington a week after running second in a $3m race at Rosehill. The Glen Thompson-trained mare Benagil is a $4 equal favourite in Australasian Oaks betting alongside last Saturday's Mornington Guineas winner Movin Out. • Racebook: Gilbert Gardiner's horses to follow and forgive from Mornington Benagil ran a solid second to budding star Treasurethe Moment in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on April 1. The John O'Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Polymnia is on the second line of Oaks betting at $5 ahead of the in-form filly Cinch, who has won her last three starts. Wangaratta-trained filly All Kinds Of Folk is the only other runner under $10 in Australasian Oaks betting after her placing in the Auraria Stakes. Six Australasian Oaks winners had their final lead-up run in the Auraria Stakes. Originally published as Victorian visitors head betting in South Australian Group 1 features Robert Sangster Stakes and Australasian Oaks
News.com.au
21-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Victorian visitors head betting in South Australian Group 1 features Robert Sangster Stakes and Australasian Oaks
Victorian-trained performers head early all-in betting markets on both Group 1 features to be decided in Adelaide on Saturday. Morphettville will host the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) for sprinting mares and the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) for three-year-old fillies. Last year's Royal Ascot winner Asfoora tops Sangster Stakes betting at $4.50 after her strong first-up win in the Group 3 Irwin Stakes over 1100m. Previous Sangster Stakes winners Platelet (2013), Driefontein (2014) and Climbing Star (2024) emerged from the Irwin Stakes to claim their respective triumphs. Climbing Star is a $5 equal second pick to repeat last year's win after her close third in the Irwin Stakes when resuming from a spell. Godolphin mare Commemorative is the other $5 second favourite on the strength of her consistent form during the Sydney autumn carnival. Climbing Star's Phillip Stokes stablemate Stretan Angel is a $7 pick along with Sydney mare Sunshine In Paris, who finished third in last Saturday's Group 1 All Aged Stakes at Randwick. Travelling on a seven-day back-up is nothing new to Sunshine In Paris, who won the Group 1 Champions' Sprint at Flemington a week after running second in a $3m race at Rosehill. The Glen Thompson-trained mare Benagil is a $4 equal favourite in Australasian Oaks betting alongside last Saturday's Mornington Guineas winner Movin Out. Benagil ran a solid second to budding star Treasurethe Moment in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on April 1. The John O'Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Polymni a is on the second line of Oaks betting at $5 ahead of the in-form filly Cinch, who has won her last three starts. Wangaratta-trained filly All Kinds Of Folk is the only other runner under $10 in Australasian Oaks betting after her placing in the Auraria Stakes.
