Group 1 racing continues this Saturday at Morphettville with the running of the $500,000 Robert Sangster Stakes between the fillies and mares.
A field of 16 will step out over 1200m, including last-start William Reid Stakes winner September Run, Away Game, Bella Nipotina, and last year’s winner, Instant Celebrity.
The 2022 Adelaide Racing Carnival is now in full swing, and our thoughts on every horse ahead of the Sangster can be viewed below!
1. September Run (5)
- Group 1’s: 2 (2020 Coolmore Stud Stakes, 2022 William Reid Stakes)
- Record: 19-6:1:2
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 9:3-0-1
- Trainer: Chris Waller
- Jockey: Craig Williams
- Odds: $4.50
Hasn’t been seen at the races since dominating to win the William Reid Stakes by a length at The Valley. Record over this trip speaks for itself and should appreciate another race against her own sex. Craig Williams has been responsible for her two Group 1 wins and she has handled racing with some sting out of the track in the past. Goes well fresh and is the rightful favourite.
2. Bella Nipotina (3)
- Record: 27-4:7:6
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 11:2-3-4
- Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
- Jockey: John Allen
- Odds: $5.50
Finished strongly to win the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes on a Heavy 10 at Randwick just under a month ago. Proven on all going and is another one that absolutely relishes 1200m. Ran fourth in the Dequetteville a couple of years ago in her only start at Morphettville and has been the model of consistency ever since. Typically finds the money more often than not and she should be able to land in a lovely spot just off the speed.
3. Instant Celebrity (12)
- Group 1’s: 1 (2021 Robert Sangster Stakes)
- Record: 13-5:2:2
- Track: 6:3-2-0
- Distance: 4:1-1-1
- Trainer: Phillip Stokes
- Jockey: Daniel Moor
- Odds: $13.00
Defending champion that showed plenty first-up when a nose second to Bella Vella in the Irwin Stakes over shorter. Tends to do her best work second-up from a spell, as we saw last year when she won this race by half a length to Subpoenaed. Doesn’t mind racing with some sting out of the track but does face a stiffer challenge here from the wide draw. Look for her late.
4. Bella Vella (7)
- Group 1’s: 1 (2020 Robert Sangster Stakes)
- Record: 35-11:5:5
- Track: 5:3-0-0
- Distance: 5:1-0-0
- Trainer: Will Clarken
- Jockey: Ms Kayla Crowther
- Odds: $14.00
Talented type that won this race a couple of years ago by the narrowest of margins. Loves racing on her home track and was too strong late last time out in the Irwin Stakes finishing over the top of Instant Celebrity. Should be fitter now and handles some sting out of the track. Big each-way chance that will take some catching on speed.
5. Brooklyn Hustle (10)
- Record: 23-4:2:2
- Track: 2:1-0-0
- Distance: 10:1-0-1
- Trainer: Jason Warren and Dean Krongold
- Jockey: Ms Jamie Kah
- Odds: $10.00
Unplaced in 11 starts at Group 1 level but did run well in this race last year finishing 2.5L fifth behind Instant Celebrity. Recent runs have been good: sixth in The Galaxy two back before returning from a freshen-up to finish runner-up in The Discovery at Sale. Should appreciate getting back out to 1200m now and she does have the one win under Jamie Kah to her name. Worth thought.
6. Away Game (1)
- Record: 22-5:6:4
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 14:3-4-3
- Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
- Jockey: Ms Linda Meech
- Odds: $9.00
Worth forgiving on her latest run in The Galaxy as she clearly didn’t handle the heavy conditions. Was strong in three starts prior, finding the placings in the Xmas Stakes, the Magic Millions Sprint, and the Oakleigh Plate back at Caulfield. Another one that loves 1200m and has drawn to get the rails run. Might appreciate a little more rain about?
7. Snapdancer (16)
- Record: 17-5:4:2
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 7:4-1-1
- Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
- Jockey: Ethan Brown
- Odds: $12.00
Won the fillies and mares race well on Magic Millions Day at the Gold Coast and proved that was no fluke gapping her rivals by over 2.5L a month later in the Triscay at Randwick. Found the wrong part of the track last time out in the Newmarket and never really made an impact on the heavy going. Has drawn awkwardly again here but there is room for improvement.
8. All Banter (9)
- Record: 14-7:2:1
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Richard and Chantelle Jolly
- Jockey: Jake Toeroek
- Odds: $26.00
Chasing a hat-trick in her Group 1 debut. Has won three from four since resuming in February and has done some of her best racing on rain-affected going during her short career. Hasn’t raced past 1100m but could take some catching if she rolls forward.
9. Chaillot (6)
- Record: 12-5:0:1
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 1:1-0-0
- Trainer: Archie Alexander
- Jockey: Declan Bates
- Odds: $21.00
Returns from a freshen after making up good ground for sixth in a Group 3 at Flemington back in March. Outstanding fresh record with four wins from five starts to her name but is facing a stiffer challenge here. Unplaced in three starts at Group 1 level but does have plenty of upside. Looks a knockout chance.
10. So You Assume (11)
- Record: 13-5:2:1
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 1:0-0-0
- Trainer: Shane Nichols
- Jockey: Joe Bowditch
- Odds: $101
First-up. Finished down the straight in the Toorak Handicap during the spring and is likely looking for further.
11. Another Award (2)
- Record: 21-6:4:3
- Track: 9:3-0-1
- Distance: 8:4-2-1
- Trainer: Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas
- Jockey: Ms Jessica Eaton
- Odds: $26.00
Another one chasing her hat-trick after claiming back to back wins against BM78 company. Steps up to Group 1 level for the first time but does warrant respect with four wins and three placings to her name over the distance. Has relished racing on her home track and could be a factor late with even luck.
12. Gaze Grise (15)
- Record: 18-6:4:0
- Track: 7:1-0-0
- Distance: 4:0-1-0
- Trainer: David Jolly
- Jockey: Lachlan Neindorf
- Odds: $51.00
On a quick backup after winning well against easier company last week. Recent form reads well but this does look a big challenge stepping up to Group 1 level for the first time.
13. Argentia (13)
- Record: 5-2:2:0
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 2:1-0-0
- Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman
- Jockey: Mark Zahra
- Odds: $11.00
Talented type that has missed the money only once from five career starts. Won her maiden at Caulfield first-up in February and has been strong to the line in both the Group 2 Armanasco and Kewney Stakes since. Has work to do from the wide gate and is still somewhat unknown on rain-affected going, but does possess a clear turn of foot. Worth a thought in multiples.
14. Heresy (8)
- Record: 11-2:3:1
- Track: 2:1-0-0
- Distance: 5:2-1-1
- Trainer: James Cummings
- Jockey: Damien Oliver
- Odds: $15.00
Impressive two back winning the PJ Bell at Randwick over a few of her stablemates. Far from disgraced in the Redelva Stakes last time out running fifth and has drawn much kinder this time around. Should appreciate getting back out to 1200m and has won on both soft and heavy going in the past. This is tougher, but she should be saving her best for late.
15. Gimmie Par (14)
- Record: 7-2:1:2
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 1:0-0-0
- Trainer: Peter Moody
- Jockey: Barend Forster
- Odds: $51.00
Strips fitter for three runs back and was okay late in the Vobis Gold Dash at Caulfield a couple of weeks ago. Has plenty of talent but does look outclassed here.
16. Champagne Dreams (4)
- Record: 10-4:1:1
- Track: 4:1-0-1
- Distance: 2:0-1-0
- Trainer: Wayne Francis & Glen Kent
- Jockey: Paul Gatt
- Odds: $19.00
Has won three of her last five starts, including the Listed Redelva Stakes over 1100m here at Morphettville a couple of weeks ago. Made every post a winner that day and will likely push forward and make her own luck on the speed once again. Slight query on rain-affected going.
