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Historical Analysis of the Robert Sangster Stakes
ROBERT SANGSTER STAKES - G1 1200m
The old Swettenham Stud Stks received significant upgrades from G3 to G1 status in the space of six years. It was added to the number of open age F&M G1 conducted in Australia from 2005.
Robert Sangster’s mark was indelible in this neck of the woods and he would have been glad about the upgrade and the conditions alteration to WFA saw instant improvement in the quality of the contestants. Let’s see those lovely ladies who’ve taken out the race recently.
PROFILING THE RACE
o This race used to be the Swettenham Stud Stks at G3 level then G2 until it gained G1 status in 2005.
o Lee Freedman liked the idea of the changes - he won the first 3 runnings of the race at G1 and had Miss Andretti run at 5-2on only for her to show her decline with a poor 4th.
o Leaders have won on a few occasions but Juste Momente came from last in ’08.
o Wide barriers mean absolutely nothing in this race - the dog leg 1200 probably contributes to that like the Caulfield sprint journey.
o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner - 4yo (6 times)
o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner - $10
o Breakdown of winners - 2 fillies & 8 mares
o Races that the winner ran in prior - Lightning Stks (1), Newmarket Hcp (1), Anniversary Vase (1), Irwin Stks (2), Kewney Stks (1), Yallambee Classic (1), Galaxy Hcp (1), Spell (2)
RECENT WINNERS
2016 - PRECIOUS GEM 6m (Econsul x Gem Of Gems) ($21)
Jockey: Jake Noonan, Trainer: Henry DwyerBarrier: 6, Weight: 56.5kg, Gross Time: 1:09.49
Margin: 0.1L, Track: Good (4), Starters: 202nd: Sheidel (56.5kg), 3rd: I Love It (56.5kg)
Review: The contrast between what happened in the Sangster and the Oaks run 40 minutes prior could not be more stark.
Luke Nolen won in great fashion then fell off Miss Promiscuity and was injured breaking bones. The race itself looked like being won around the turn as Sheidel took over but was not helped by the riderless horse.
Out of the pack came the mare for Henry Dwyer and she just got up on the line. It didn’t look a strong running of the race beforehand and not after it either.
2015 - MIRACLES OF LIFE 4m (Not A Single Doubt x Dazzling Gazelle) ($4.20)
Jockey: Hugh Bowman, Trainer: Peter & Paul SnowdenBarrier: 6, Weight: 56.5kg, Gross Time: 1:09.72
Margin: 0.1L, Track: Good (4), Starters: 152nd: Gregers (56.5kg), 3rd: I Love It (56.5kg)
Review: ‘Barbie’ had been racing very well during the Sydney Autumn winning the Challenge and placing in the Galaxy. But she was returning to her former home.
Hugh Bowman had developed a very good relationship with her in their runs since being sold. In the Sangster she was able to sit just off the pace in a solidly run race.
Having lost her spot into the turn, Bowman balanced her up and over the last 200m she surged over them to score by a nose. There were some good runs in behind but hard to knock such an honest mare.
Barrier: 10, Weight: 56.5kg, Gross Time: 1:09.23
Margin: 1.3L, Track: Dead (4), Starters: 122nd: Platelet (56.5kg), 3rd: Gregers (54.5kg)
Review: This mare had been everywhere. She’d campaigned in most of the big races of her age and while never being a dominant horse, she generally gave her best. After racing the likes of Red Tracer and Catkins, Gai decided to give her an easier option and Adelaide was it.
She came from behind to win the Irwin a fortnight before and now took on G1 company again. Allowed to stride along, Duric was happy to get her into a rhythm.
She was there to be beaten but over the concluding stages none of them, including the defending champ, could even challenge. Great placement.