Latest news with #RobertSangsterStakes
New Paper
03-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
All stoked up with Femminile
Femminile became the second filly in a row to claim the South Australian Derby at Morphettville (2,500m) on May 3. Last year, it was second favourite Coco Sun who delivered the A$1 million (S$836,000) Group 1 event for trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy's and jockey Jamie Melham's (then Kah) first success in the Adelaide classic. Similarly, Femminile allowed both trainer Philip Stokes and jockey Lachlan Neindorf to enter their home Derby honour roll for the first time, except that the Dundeel three-year-old was a lot less fancied at $103 on the Singapore tote. But from the halfway mark, she was travelling a lot more like a $10 favourite as she crept up along the rails for LachlanNeindorf, taking all the shortcuts home. She did not go around any runners as she went for broke upon straightening, collaring race-leader Goldrush Guru (Jason Holder) from underneath him before setting sail for home. Femminile may have hit the front too soon, but even if the last 300m of the home straight must have felt endless to connections, she kept hitting the line strongly. Favourite Statuario (John Allen) rushed home late but had to settle for second place 3/4-length away with second favourite Lavalier completing the trifecta another 1 3/4 lengths away, failing to give Melham back-to-back Derby wins. On the other hand, OTI Racing has gone one better after Warmonger could come only within 1½ lengths of Coco Sun last year. "We're just so proud. This horse has been prepped up an absolute treat," said Stokes' assistant-trainer son Tommy. "Full credit to the team at Pakenham and Morphettville. It's a big operation, the team, mum and dad put in a lot of work. "She's just been prepped up a tee. The back-up really suited, stepping up in trip. We were doing a bit of a rain dance before today but she didn't need it. "Lachie gave her an absolute peach. It was quite an effortless watch in the end. "It's another Group 1 winner for OTI. Can't wait to celebrate, it's a shame dad's (at Caulfield) not here, but I'm sure he's super proud. "So rapt for Lachie. He does a fair bit of work on this filly, but that was his first race ride on her." Neindorf, 22, was at his second Group 1 win after breaking his duck at the elite level with another Stokes ward, Climbing Star in the Robert Sangster Stakes (1,200m) a year ago on April 27, 2024. While Neindorf could not control the waterworks at that milestone, he was a lot more composed this time, but just as overjoyed. "It's funny. About a month after (the Robert Sangster), I went to Flemington, rode one for Phil and the team," said Neindorf. "Think it was Pat Carey next to Phil, he said 'gee, you must've taught that boy everything', Phil said 'I didn't teach him how to bloody cry'. "So, from that day on, you know what, I'm not crying again. No more tears." The 10-out-of-10 handling from barrier No. 2 itself was the epitome of coolness. "I just said to the boys pre-race, let's just lob out and keep her happy. I think these distance races, you see a lot of these top-class jockeys, they just worry about the race from the 1,200m onwards," he said. "Before that, it's just about getting the horse to relax and get the rhythm in. It was a bit messy, a few horses got pulling, but she just copped it all. "I was on the back of John Allen and trusted he would take me around and (I was) ready to go. "He popped off the fence and I lost his back. I thought, let's make it up as we go, the seas just parted." manyan@
7NEWS
03-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Unlikely $19 outsider Femminile's value skyrockets after Group 1 South Australian Derby triumph
One of just two fillies in the race, Femminile has relished the quick turnaround from last week's Oaks to take out the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday for trainer Phillip Stokes. Under a cool Lachlan Neindorf, the daughter of Dundeel didn't have to go around a horse after sneaking runs along the rail, booting clear to score by three-quarters of a length as a $19 chance over $3.40 favourite Statuario, with $6.50 chance Lavalier a further length away in third. There weren't many more emotional wins than Lachlan Neindorf in his maiden Group One victory aboard Climbing Star in last year's Robert Sangster Stakes, but this year the young hoop was as unflustered as his ride. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 'No more tears,' Neindorf said. 'It's funny, about a month afterwards I went over to Flemington, I rode one for Phil and the team, and I think it was Pat Carey next to Phil, he said, 'you must have taught that boy everything'. 'He said, 'I didn't tell him how to bloody cry!' So from that day onward, I go, you know what, I'm not crying again, no more.' In similar fashion to his victory aboard Climbing Star, Neindorf was happy to ride for luck and executed a pre-race plan to perfection. 'I was following Statuario, he was drawn one, I was drawn two, and that was just the plan early on, and then he sort of went to avenue out, and I lost the back of him, and from that point on, I just thought, 'you know what, let's make it up as we go here.' 'It's magical. It's amazing, really, sitting here thinking that all of a sudden now you've won two Group Ones, two consecutive years in a row. 'To have my family, my old man over there, he's got his top hat on he's a happy camper, so a few beers being sucked tonight.' Assistant trainer Tommy Stokes said the win greatly enhances Femminile's value, thrilled to get another major win for OTI Racing. 'I'm just very proud, especially another winner for OTI being a Group One, it's really special,' Stokes said. 'She's actually due to be sold after this prep so it's massive, she's super valuable now.'
News.com.au
01-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Luck of the Irish? Jockey John Allen chases fifth South Australian Derby with Statuario
A modest John Allen believes he's simply been 'lucky' in Adelaide, the scene of seven of his 20 Group 1 victories in the saddle. Allen scored a first Group 1 win in the 2016 South Australian Derby aboard Howard Be Thy Name, and nine years later, the Irish hoop is poised for a remarkable fifth Derby win aboard favourite Statuario in Saturday's $1m three-year-old feature. It's no surprise Allen, who is based in Victoria, enjoys returning to Morphettville. He's striking at 33.3 per cent in Group 1 races in Adelaide, with seven wins from 21 rides. He won the Robert Sangster Stakes and Australasian Oaks in 2023, along with The Goodwood in 2020, handing him SA's quartet of Group 1s. 'I've been lucky down there, I've got on some good horses,' Allen, who won the 2021 Derby aboard Explosive Jack, said. 'I really enjoy riding on the main track at Morphettville, I've had a lot of luck around it, maybe it's just the way I ride a bit – it's certainly been a happy hunting ground for me. 'It's hard to believe it's nine years ago now (first Group 1), I've had plenty of luck in Adelaide every time, you have to get on the right horses but it's been a lucky place for me.' • Gluyas' Guru to push on to Derby Allen is better equipped than most when it comes to profiling a Derby horse, and Statuario, a son of D'argento, has given the indication that he fits the Derby mould. 'He seems to be taking the right steps, it's a different formline to the Chairman's (Stakes), it will be interesting to see how they measure up,' he said. 'I suppose he's probably the in-form horse going into the race so hopefully he can produce on Saturday.' Statuario was an impressive winner of the Galilee Series Final (2400m) last start at Caulfield, the two-length win suggested that he will handle Saturday's 2500m Derby journey. 'We had a bit of a concern about him running the 2400m, obviously the Derby will be a high pressure race, hopefully he can handle that,' he said. 'He was impressive (last start), it probably didn't look the strongest of races, but the form out of it hasn't actually been too bad. 'He had the right run, but he still won it pretty dominantly, I think it's a good lead-up hopefully.' Statuario, expressed in betting, dominates the Galilee Series Final, which was a slowly run affair ðŸ'° The @Em_spartaracing training duo are airborne ðŸ'¥ @JohnnyA_24 — (@Racing) April 5, 2025 Pakenham trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne are chasing their first Group 1 win in Australia since relocating from New Zealand in 2022, and Allen would love to be the jockey to deliver it with Statuario. 'They made the move over here to Australia so I suppose it's a big race for them to be on the big stage and show what they are about,' Allen said. 'Their horse is in great form at the moment, I've only really started riding for them in the last few months, they'll have the horse in tip top shape come Saturday.' Statuario has drawn barrier three, and is a $4.20 favourite with Sportsbet.
Courier-Mail
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Charm Stone claims Robert Sangster Stakes to give Mark Zahra Group 1 double at Morphettville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Brilliant mare Charm Stone flew home to snatch Saturday's $1m Robert Sangster Stakes as jockey Mark Zahra ruled Morphettville for a day. The Melbourne Cup-winning hoop secured a treble on day one of the Adelaide racing carnival, winning both the Group 1 Sangster and Australasian Oaks, along with earlier success aboard a dominant Legacy Bound in the Group 3 Breeders' Stakes. • 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! Charm Stone's Sangster triumph made it an incredible four wins in the race for gun trainer Mick Price, who was full of praise for the daughter of I Am Invincible post-race. 'The very pleasing thing is she's a beautiful mare. We've had her since she was a baby,' Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jr, said. 'She's one of Sheamus' (Mills) yearling buyers and look, he's one of the main players in the stable with Heath Newton and Anthony and it's just very, very satisfying to get a Group 1 for those guys, the mare has deserved it.' As for his star rider, Price had a short and sharp assessment. • What the jockeys said: 2025 Robert Sangster Stakes 'Zahra is Zahra, he just lives in the Group 1 world, doesn't he? But really, really pleased for the mare and the owning group,' he said. Fellow interstate raiders Ameena and Commemorative filled out the placings in the Sangster, Royal Ascot winner Asfoora finished seventh. Zahra has every reason to keep coming back to the Adelaide racing carnival, he has now won three Group 1s over the last two carnivals, along with an SA Derby win aboard Jungle Magnate in 2022, also for Price and Kent Jr. 'It's special. A bit of luck this time last year, a bit more luck this year, but nice to get a couple of good rides for people I ride for, and the races have just worked out, everything went in my favour today,' Zahra said. Mark Zahra celebrates after winning the Robert Sangster Stakes aboard Charm Stone. Picture: Makoto Kaneko Charm Stone will now head to $1m The Goodwood (1200m) on March 10, but Zahra may have another ride in the Morphettville sprint. 'I might have already locked into one, but we can see,' he said. 'I think Giga Kick's coming that day. Anyway, we'll celebrate about this one first. We'll worry about what's happening in two weeks.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Interest rising in Reserve Bank - Brad Waters Exciting three-year-old Reserve Bank roared into The Goodwood contention with his dominant win in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m). In a prophetic pre-race interview, co-trainer Mick Price said Reserve Bank would remain in Adelaide for The Goodwood on May 10 had he won the Tobin Bronze Stakes. Price even perfectly described the run Reserve Bank would have, three-wide with cover from his wide gate, in his pre-race chat. The tactics left star jockey Blake Shinn with one job – ensure Reserve Bank had clear running to work into the race from the home turn. Shinn perfectly carried out his task, ensuring Reserve Bank found no traffic problems, enabling the colt to work through his gears in the straight to score by 1½ lengths over Sabaj ($9) and Winnasedge ($16). 'Well, he jumped, which was good, and gave Blake Shinn an option to be midfield,' Price, who trains Reserve Bank in partnership with Michael Kent Jr, said. 'He got cover, but he was strong to the finish and was strong 1200 (metres). 'So, I'll leave him here with Chris Bieg and we'll train him together and hopefully he can run in Goodwood and run well.' Bookmakers promoted Reserve Bank to the third line of Goodwood betting at $8. The Everest winner Giga Kick is the $2.70 favourite in early betting on the $1m feature. Price and Kent Jr will shoot for their second win in The Goodwood after the pair completed a minor upset with Lombardo in 2022. Price also won The Goodwood twice when training alone from his previous base at Caulfield. He prepared three-year-old colt Perfectly Ready to win The Goodwood from barrier 18 in 2006 and with the classy mare Velocitea in 2010. The Bjorn Baker-trained Imperial Force started as the $3.70 favourite but finished ninth with Jamie Melham in the saddle. Originally published as Charm Stone claims Robert Sangster Stakes to give Mark Zahra Group 1 double at Morphettville
The Australian
26-04-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Charm Stone claims Robert Sangster Stakes to give Mark Zahra Group 1 double at Morphettville
Brilliant mare Charm Stone flew home to snatch Saturday's $1m Robert Sangster Stakes as jockey Mark Zahra ruled Morphettville for a day. The Melbourne Cup-winning hoop secured a treble on day one of the Adelaide racing carnival, winning both the Group 1 Sangster and Australasian Oaks, along with earlier success aboard a dominant Legacy Bound in the Group 3 Breeders' Stakes. • 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! Charm Stone's Sangster triumph made it an incredible four wins in the race for gun trainer Mick Price, who was full of praise for the daughter of I Am Invincible post-race. 'The very pleasing thing is she's a beautiful mare. We've had her since she was a baby,' Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jr, said. 'She's one of Sheamus' (Mills) yearling buyers and look, he's one of the main players in the stable with Heath Newton and Anthony and it's just very, very satisfying to get a Group 1 for those guys, the mare has deserved it.' As for his star rider, Price had a short and sharp assessment. • What the jockeys said: 2025 Robert Sangster Stakes 'Zahra is Zahra, he just lives in the Group 1 world, doesn't he? But really, really pleased for the mare and the owning group,' he said. Fellow interstate raiders Ameena and Commemorative filled out the placings in the Sangster, Royal Ascot winner Asfoora finished seventh. Zahra has every reason to keep coming back to the Adelaide racing carnival, he has now won three Group 1s over the last two carnivals, along with an SA Derby win aboard Jungle Magnate in 2022, also for Price and Kent Jr. 'It's special. A bit of luck this time last year, a bit more luck this year, but nice to get a couple of good rides for people I ride for, and the races have just worked out, everything went in my favour today,' Zahra said. Mark Zahra celebrates after winning the Robert Sangster Stakes aboard Charm Stone. Picture: Makoto Kaneko Charm Stone will now head to $1m The Goodwood (1200m) on March 10, but Zahra may have another ride in the Morphettville sprint. 'I might have already locked into one, but we can see,' he said. 'I think Giga Kick's coming that day. Anyway, we'll celebrate about this one first. We'll worry about what's happening in two weeks.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Interest rising in Reserve Bank - Brad Waters Exciting three-year-old Reserve Bank roared into The Goodwood contention with his dominant win in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m). In a prophetic pre-race interview, co-trainer Mick Price said Reserve Bank would remain in Adelaide for The Goodwood on May 10 had he won the Tobin Bronze Stakes. Price even perfectly described the run Reserve Bank would have, three-wide with cover from his wide gate, in his pre-race chat. The tactics left star jockey Blake Shinn with one job – ensure Reserve Bank had clear running to work into the race from the home turn. Shinn perfectly carried out his task, ensuring Reserve Bank found no traffic problems, enabling the colt to work through his gears in the straight to score by 1½ lengths over Sabaj ($9) and Winnasedge ($16). 'Well, he jumped, which was good, and gave Blake Shinn an option to be midfield,' Price, who trains Reserve Bank in partnership with Michael Kent Jr, said. 'He got cover, but he was strong to the finish and was strong 1200 (metres). 'So, I'll leave him here with Chris Bieg and we'll train him together and hopefully he can run in Goodwood and run well.' Bookmakers promoted Reserve Bank to the third line of Goodwood betting at $8. The Everest winner Giga Kick is the $2.70 favourite in early betting on the $1m feature. Price and Kent Jr will shoot for their second win in The Goodwood after the pair completed a minor upset with Lombardo in 2022. Price also won The Goodwood twice when training alone from his previous base at Caulfield. He prepared three-year-old colt Perfectly Ready to win The Goodwood from barrier 18 in 2006 and with the classy mare Velocitea in 2010. The Bjorn Baker-trained Imperial Force started as the $3.70 favourite but finished ninth with Jamie Melham in the saddle.
