FEATURE PREVIEWS: ROBERT SANGSTER STAKES
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ROBERT SANGSTER STAKES
TRACK: Morphettville | DISTANCE: 1200m | RAIL POSITION: True | TRACK CONDITIONS: Good 4 | PRIZE MONEY: 1,000,000
The Robert Sangster Stakes is a Group 1 South Australian weight-for-age race for Fillies and Mares run over 1200m. The race has been run since 1983 when it was then a set weights and penalties race before being changed to a weight-for-age race in 1990.
The Robert Sangster stakes is Australia’s only 1200m Group 1 race for fillies and mares. A dramatic prize increase only this year see’s the race jump from $500,000 to 1 million in total prizemoney.
The race has been won three times by leading trainers Mick Price and Lee Freedman while champion and now-retired jockey Damien Oliver has also won the race on three occasions.
Some notable winners include Alinghi (2005), Black Caviar (2012) Miracles Of Life (2015) and the South Australian trained Bella Vella for Will Clarken back in 2020
The race was a Group 3 between 1986-2003, a Group 2 in 2004 and has since been the premier Group 1 1200m race for Fillies and Mares in Australia since 2005.
Lee Freedman and Mick Price have won the race 3 times as a trainer while Damien Oliver boasts the most wins as a jockey also with three.
Some notable winners of the race are Group 1 Superstar ALINGHI in 2005, The worlds best ever sprinter BLACK CAVAIR in 2012 and SA Racings fairytale story MIRACLES OF LIFE in 2015.
In recent times the favourites have had a shocking record in the race with only one saluting since 2007 being Black Caviar at odds of $1.05
HISTORICAL PROFILING
- First-up (3 winners), second-up (2 winners), third-up (4 winners), fifth-up (1 winner).
- 14-day break (3 winners), 21-day break (3 winners), 28-day break (1 winner), 42-day break (1 winner), 63-to-70 day break (2 winners).
- Settled leader (4 winners), sixth in running (2 winners), 11th-to-13th in running (4 winners)
- Three-year-olds (2 winners), four-year-olds (4 winners), five-year-olds (3 winners), six-year-olds (1 winner)
- Barrier 3 (1 winner), barrier 6 (3 winners), barriers 10-16 (6 winners).
PRICE ADVANTAGE HISTORY
Climbing Star produced a blowout in 2024, getting up at a BSP of $33.96. This was 21.5% better than the corporate average post commission, amounting to more than $73 extra in the pocket for a $10 outlay.
Ruthless Dame delivered at $15.76 in 2023, which was 1.3% better than best tote post commission.
Completing the run was Snapdancer back in 2022, who was another big priced winner at $23. This was 28.5% higher post commission than best tote.
SPEED MAP
Looks to be genuine speed here with Austmarr and Asfoora likely to come across from their wide barriers and inject some some tempo. This should allow Aviatress and Climbing Star to get a nice tuck in behind from their handy barrier draws. One of the other fancied runners Stretan Angel will likely go back and rely on a fast tempo. Rough hopes Jasmine Rogue and Prairie Flower will need the breaks to go their way but can feature if they go too quickly.
TOP 4 SELECTIONS
3. Climbing Star
16. Jasmine Rouge
2. Stretan Angel
8. Aviatress
BETTING STRATEGIES
Betting Strategy
BACK: 3. Climbing Star (WIN) for 2 units
Great race but I think Climbing Star can go back to back for the Stokes/Neindorf combination here. Was a fairytale result for Lachlan Neindorf producing a sensational ride from the tail last year to claim his first group 1 win as a jockey. The horse had an indifferent time of things last prep when luckless first up then was beaten by barriers when asked for a Sydney preparation. Given time off and return from a spell with the run of the race in the G3 Irwin behind the world champion in Asfoora. Not convinced Asfoora will get the 1200m (especially from that barrier draw) So expecting the tables to be turned. Draws well. Can go back to back. Jasmine Rouge comes into this race with just 4 runs under her belt but has never put in a bad one. Won a Group 3 2nd up as a MDN last prep and return from a break with an excellent closing 4th at Flemington. Draws wide but Ben Melhmam knows the horse well and could be the one out wide late if they go too quick in front. Is 1/1 2nd up! Stretan Angel ran two excellent placings at Flemington in the Lightning and Newmarket respectively before nothing went right in the William Reid when the track played bias and poorly with the sting out. Forgive that. If you go on the previous two runs the horse deserves to be favourite and deserves to break the Group 1 status. Throwing in the local horse Aviatress in too. Thought the horse was under the odds as favourite vs some genuine Group 1 sprinters and was just left a tough flat-footed when the heat went on 2nd up. Prepared to forgive that and would love to see the Jolly’s and Jake Toeroek breakthrough for South Australia. She’s a genuine mare on the up!
BACK: 3. Climbing Star (PLACE) for 2 units
Great race but I think Climbing Star can go back to back for the Stokes/Neindorf combination here. Was a fairytale result for Lachlan Neindorf producing a sensational ride from the tail last year to claim his first group 1 win as a jockey. The horse had an indifferent time of things last prep when luckless first up then was beaten by barriers when asked for a Sydney preparation. Given time off and return from a spell with the run of the race in the G3 Irwin behind the world champion in Asfoora. Not convinced Asfoora will get the 1200m (especially from that barrier draw) So expecting the tables to be turned. Draws well. Can go back to back. Jasmine Rouge comes into this race with just 4 runs under her belt but has never put in a bad one. Won a Group 3 2nd up as a MDN last prep and return from a break with an excellent closing 4th at Flemington. Draws wide but Ben Melhmam knows the horse well and could be the one out wide late if they go too quick in front. Is 1/1 2nd up! Stretan Angel ran two excellent placings at Flemington in the Lightning and Newmarket respectively before nothing went right in the William Reid when the track played bias and poorly with the sting out. Forgive that. If you go on the previous two runs the horse deserves to be favourite and deserves to break the Group 1 status. Throwing in the local horse Aviatress in too. Thought the horse was under the odds as favourite vs some genuine Group 1 sprinters and was just left a tough flat-footed when the heat went on 2nd up. Prepared to forgive that and would love to see the Jolly’s and Jake Toeroek breakthrough for South Australia. She’s a genuine mare on the up!
LAY: 1. Asfoora (WIN) for 1 unit
While he took on the world and beat them in the U.K, I’m not convinced that this horse is a genuine 1200m horse. Has only placed once in three attempts over this distance and will have his work cut out from barrier 14. Looks a risk
