Robert Sangster Stakes – Preview
The Robert Sangster Stakes is a 1200m Group 1 weight-for-age race for fillies and mares held at Morphettville Racecourse. Total prizemoney is $500,000. The race is held during the South Australian Autumn Racing Carnival, and is named after prolific owner and breeder Robert Sangster.
The track
A few showers are forecast for the next couple of days, but nothing major. So I’m working off a good track here… dead at worst.
The speed
There’s plenty of pace here, they’ll go out hard. Champagne Dreams, All Banter, Snapdancer and So You Assume will go forward. September Run, the two Bellas and Away Game sit midfield. Brooklyn Hustle goes back.
The runners
1 September Run [$4.80] is definitely one of the main chances and should get a nice run in midfield behind a fast speed. She’s a Group 1 winner last start in the William Reid. About her right price here.
2 Bella Nipotina [$6] won the Group 2 Sapphire last start and was second in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes last prep. Her best is good enough to win this and she’s certainly out of the right camp in Maher and Eustace.
6 Away Game [$8.50] is a very tough horse and another one from the right camp, but she’ll need to be near her peak to win this.
5 Brooklyn Hustle [$9] has a get-back style so isn’t one that I go looking for. If she beats me I will wear it!
13 Argentia [$11] will go back and would need to improve a couple of lengths to have a chance of taking this out.
7 Snapdancer [$12] is first-up after 56 days off, into a fast-paced Group 1 where she’ll be on the speed. She may struggle over the last 100 metres.
3 Instant Celebrity [$13] won this race last year. She had a good rating first-up and was second-up coming into this race last year, but will be giving a few a start.
4 Bella Vella [$14] put in a great run last start, winning the Group 3 RN Irwin. She’ll only be better second-up and there are far worse shots running around at this price.
14 Heresy [$15] would need to progress a couple of lengths to win this.
8 All Banter [$26] is coming off back-to-back wins but hasn’t competed at this level before. Place chance.
11 Another Award [$26] is going from a Benchmark 78 to a Group 1. May be outclassed here.
The rest are outclassed and it’d be a major surprise if any of them won: 9 Chaillot [$21], 16 Champagne Dreams [$19], 12 Gaze Grise [$41], 10 So You Assume [$101].
The verdict
Past winners include up-and-coming three-year-olds and flashing backmarker horses, so you really can get anything here!
September Run and Bella Nipotina are on top for me, but are at the right prices. I’d want a bit better price to back either of them.
In terms of value, if Bella Vella can get near her last start performance, or even improve a little, she’s not without a chance here. A small play each-way might be the go there. Good luck!