Forums

Turns out there is one more race in that series,so by starting tomorrow he can qualify. Cunning plan back on it seems.

Local trainer Phillip Stokes and young jockey Lachlan Neindorf pulled off a major upset in the 2024 Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday, with their mare Climbing Star saluting at a juicy $26 price. The four-year-old Zoustar daughter arrived in peak form, following a win in the Listed Matrice Classic (1200m) and a narrow second to Benedetta in the Group 3 RN Irwin Stakes (1100m). A stumble out of the gates forced Neindorf to improvise, abandoning their pre-race plan to take the outside lane. Instead, he kept his cool, staying tucked away near the back of the pack. This tactical switch proved crucial. As they entered the home straight, Neindorf hugged the rails, allowing Climbing Star to conserve energy and find a clear path. The longshot filly surged forward, battling off a late charge from the fast-finishing Learning To Fly. Race favourite Estriella led the pack early, but faded in the final stages eventually running fifth. All eyes turned to Learning To Fly, who appeared poised to snatch victory after a strong closing burst. However, Climbing Star displayed remarkable heart and determination, holding off the challenge to claim a surprise victory. Learning To Fly settled for a close second, while Benedetta completed the trifecta with a strong third-place finish. “That was super,” said a delighted Stokes after the race. “I was watching the race and I thought hang on a second, what happened? We were meant to get her to the outside. “No horse had been there (the inside) all day. “Great for Lachie to get the win.” Neindorf, overcome with emotion, echoed Stokes’ sentiment: “It was a really good win. She stumbled at the start and I wanted to be a lot closer. Eventually, we got the favours and here we are!” While there’s no set plan to run in the upcoming Group 1 $1 million The Goodwood (1200m) back at the track on May 11, Stokes is optimistic about her potential. “We got her to peak on the day today,” he said. “She’s come of her own now. She’s coming of age and just starting to blossom now. “They still haven’t seen the best of her. “She’s got a great spring ahead of her I think. “We’d want to be happy with her (to contest The Goodwood). We don’t have to do that. “If she pulls up well, we’ll look at it.” 2024 Robert Sangster Stakes Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 7 CLIMBING STAR (NZ) Phillip Stokes Lachlan Neindorf 14 56.5kg $26 2 13 LEARNING TO FLY Annabel Neasham Chad Schofield 0.3L 13 54.5kg $10 3 4 BENEDETTA Jason Warren Daniel Stackhouse 0.4L 1 56.5kg $9 4 2 I AM ME Ciaron Maher Blake Shinn 1.4L 2 56.5kg $5 5 12 ESTRIELLA Ciaron Maher Mark Zahra 2.5L 11 54.5kg (cd 55kg) $2.80F 6 14 STRETAN ANGEL Phillip Stokes Damian Lane 2.9L 10 54.5kg $26 7 11 WALTZ ON BY Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman Billy Egan 4.1L 8 56.5kg $26 8 10 SNAPPED Anthony & Sam Freedman Todd Pannell 4.4L 7 56.5kg $81 9 1 ZAPATEO James Cummings Ms Jamie Kah 4.5L 3 56.5kg $8 10 9 WONDERFUL TONIGHT Sam Mynott Craig Williams 5L 12 56.5kg $101 11 3 PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE Grahame Begg Jordan Childs 5.1L 6 56.5kg $9 12 8 LEMPICKA Ken & Kasey Keys Blaike McChief Stipeall 6.9L 4 56.5kg $81 13 6 SKEW WIFF (NZ) Mark Walker Michael Dee 6.9L 5 56.5kg $81 14 5 ROOTS Chris Waller James McDonald 8L 9 56.5kg $26 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Climbing Star Upsets in Thrilling Robert Sangster Stakes 2024 Result appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

I’munstoppable leaves the field in her wake with a sharp front-running display in Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Just twenty-four hours after the passing of Wexford Stables figurehead Dave “DJ” O’Sullivan, the New Zealand training icon would have been looking down on Te Rapa with a beaming smile as promising filly I’munstoppable led from go to whoa to capture the Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) for the Matamata operation. Prepared by O’Sullivan’s fellow New Zealand Hall of Fame member and son Lance alongside Andrew Scott, the three-year-old daughter of Charm Spirit led her age group rivals a merry dash throughout in the hands of Sam Spratt. Spratt bounced her out nicely from barrier five and enjoyed an uncontested lead, quickening nicely around the home bend where she established a three-length break on her nearest rival. Rank outsider Our Absolute (+6000) got closest to the flying I’munstoppable but she was still over three lengths in arrears at the winning post with Impendabelle shading Eqyptian Queen for third. 2024 Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes Replay – I’munstoppable “Early in the spring we thought she was up to this (level) but she was getting things wrong,” Andrew Scott said. “She has built well for this with her last run a fortnight ago, then a week out on the farm before coming back in good form. “It’s good team effort by everyone and I’m so pleased for John and Julie (McLachlan, owners) as they have been so patient with her. “That is her ability as she can really burn, and she will be a good Kiwi sprinter when she is four and five. “Around Ellerslie three starts ago she was a bit stiff and today she has just run them into the ground.” Spratt was delighted a pre-race game plan had worked to perfection. “She doesn’t mind the sting out of the ground and there wasn’t any real speed in the race so both Scotty and I thought we could lead,” she said. “It all panned out well as she came up underneath me fine, although halfway up the straight I thought she might be shortening stride, but she had the others under plenty of strife. “I knew she could skip through the ground and sneak away so it was lovely we could manage to do that.” Bred and raced by John McLachlan and his wife Julie-Anne, I’munstoppable is out of their Rip Van Winkle mare Sisterella, who is a daughter of Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m) placegetter Arabian Nights. She is the older half-sister of two-year-old Belardo gelding Lachie who ran fourth on debut in the second race on the card, and has now won three of her eight starts and $97,000 in prizemoney. The victory provided the O’Sullivan-Scott partnership with a double on the day and broke their previous season’s best winning tally with the duo now sitting at 50 wins for the year. Horse racing news View the full article

Climbing Star claims Group One honours at Morphettville. Photo: Atkins Photography Jockey Lachlan Neindorf celebrated a Group One milestone as he guided Zoustar mare Climbing High to the pair’s first Group One victory in the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville. After stepping slowly, Climbing Star, who carries the NZ suffix, settled near last in a strongly run race. The Phillip Stokes-trained four-year-old spotted the leaders in excess of ten lengths and was down on the inner of the track which jockeys had avoided for most of the day. Neindorf didn’t panic and gambled on a rails run which he gratefully accepted as the majority of the field rolled out towards the middle of the track. Climbing Star dashed into contention and narrowly defeated Learning To Fly who came deepest of all, with Benedetta back in third. 2024 Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes Replay – Climbing Star It was the first success at the highest level for the twenty-two-year-old Neindorf and he was trying to remain calm immediately after the race, although the emotion of the moment was clearly playing out as he accepted congratulations from well-wishers. “I’m trying to keep it together but it was a really good win,” Neindorf said. “She stumbled at the start as I wanted to be a lot closer and from that point on, I just went bugger this, let’s go back to the inside and try and ride a race. “We got the favours and here we are. “A lot was going through my head and I was just trying to treat it like another race, thinking I’d cut my losses and run home into a place with even luck but this is very special. “This is for everyone in the Stokes stable and for my family and everyone here.” Stokes had been cautiously confident in the buildup regarding the chances of both his runners, with Stretan Angel also engaged and felt the outside barrier for Climbing Star might be to her advantage although those thoughts went out the window as the barriers opened. “I thought the outside barrier may not be as bad the way the track was playing,” he said. “She has been aimed at this, was third up and going super so we thought she would give a sight. “When I was watching the race, I was thinking what is happening here as we were meant to be on the outer, but it is just great for Lachie to get the win. “I’ve got some really good friends in this horse so it is a big thrill. “She has just come of age and is starting to blossom and she has a big Spring ahead of her.” Horse racing news View the full article

Apostrophe sprints to victory in the closing stages over Saint Alice in the Group 2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) If Apostrophe has run her final race, the talented mare signed off on a successful career in style with a powerful finish to capture the Group 2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Apostrophe was purchased by her trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood for $60,000 at Karaka in 2019 and debuted in the middle of her three-year-old season and has aged like fine wine with each racing season bringing new heights for the now six-year-old mare. This term has been the best yet with her familiar barnstorming finishes coming to the fore in stakes company, narrowly missing Group success in the Group 3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) in January going down by a head, and it was the same story back at Trentham two starts later with a long neck separating her from victory in the Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m). Stepping out over 2100m in the Group 3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes last time out, Apostrophe dominated the fillies and mares’ feature, and punters expected a repeat performance at Te Rapa backing her into -166.67 favouritism with online bookmakers ahead of Saint Alice (+600). The daughter of Tavistock was settled just worse than midfield by regular rider Masa Hashizume, with pacemaker Madame Le Fay taking control at the top. Last year’s Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) winner Val Di Zoldo made a break on the field turning for home, Apostrophe having a decent margin to make up with 300m to go. She used the entire length of the Te Rapa straight to reel in her rivals, but the mare provided her signature late sprint to narrowly secure the victory over Saint Alice by a half-head, with Final Purchase running into third ahead of Val Di Zoldo, whose jockey Wiremu Pinn did a sterling effort to round out the top four after losing an iron late in the race. 2024 Group 2 Travis Stakes – Apostrophe James admired the performance of the mare, and indicated she may have made her final appearance on race-day after the Group Two feature. “That was a tremendous effort today, halfway down the straight I though she couldn’t win, but she often does that, she hits a flat patch then sprints quickly. She did that at the end of a mile, and now has done it at the end of 2000m,” James said. “Whether we go on I don’t know, she has had soundness issues and she’s done what every breeder wants to do with a mare, and she’s rising seven. This could be her last run. “All credit to the staff at home, she’s high maintenance and there’s a lot of icing, poulticing and bandaging that goes into a horse like this. It’s a team effort, and it brings our team together when you get a win like this too.” Horse racing news View the full article

Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) hero chases Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) glory on only his third start in the cityView the full article

Group 1 Australasian Oaks winner Vibrant Sun at Moonee Valley in March. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) A perfect front running ride from Mark Zahra has seen Vibrant Sun (+550) lead every step of the way to take out the Group 1 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville for trainers Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr. The daughter of The Autumn Sun was coming off an impressive victory in the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes, where she came from off the speed to run over the top of the leader late, which led many to believe that she would get 2000m at her first attempt. Zahra took his filly to the front to lead from Pulchritudinous (+600), and they put a good space between themselves and the rest of the field, which was led by Coco Sun (+700) as they hit the home straight. However, as Tim Clark shook up his mount on the outside of the leader, Zahra was saving the winner for one final sprint, and she let down strong to eventually pull away with 200m to go. Private Legacy (+1600) and Coco Sun flew home and put in a lunge on the winning post but just missed as Zahra got absolutely everything out of Vibrant Sun, recording a win by the barest of margins. 2024 Australasian Oaks Replay – Vibrant Sun Michael Kent Jnr represented the stable post-race and he was elated with the win. “We always liked her. She won her maiden by seven lengths and went to the Thousand Guineas,” Kent Jnr said. “Third-up, 2000 metres, straight to the front, it was a huge win. “She missed a run in the Auraria when she had a little setback, so it’s a massive job by the whole team at home. “She was there to be beaten. It was a huge effort. Awesome result for everybody.” “We’ll take stock and talk to everybody. She doesn’t have to go anywhere now, she’s a Group 1 winner. We’ll work that out on Monday morning.” Mark Zahra was very complimentary of the winner in his post-race interview. “Really gutsy. I couldn’t have her much slower in the run,” Zahra said of the winner. “I took my time getting there, but that’s as steady as I could go, but she’s got a high cruising speed. “I dropped my rein halfway down the straight and I couldn’t pick it up, it was too long. “I just kept riding her along. It was a good gutsy win. “Probably a little bit (out on her feet), which she was entitled to be. “I’ve won a Caulfield Cup dropping the reins, so it still counts. It’s not ideal, but I’m riding light today and a win is a win.” Horse racing news View the full article

The Mark Zahra-ridden Vibrant Sun produced a gritty performance to capture the 2024 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville on Saturday. Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr., the daughter of The Autumn Sun defied a slight setback that forced her to miss the traditional lead-up race, the Auraria Stakes. Despite the lack of a recent run, Vibrant Sun’s fitness from her victory in the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m) proved sufficient for the longer distance. Zahra executed a masterful ride, taking the lead early and dictating the pace. He skillfully guided her around the bend, conserving enough energy for a crucial late push. On the home turn, reigning NZ Oaks winner Pulchritudinous challenged Vibrant Sun for the lead, briefly taking the advantage. However, Vibrant Sun dug deep, regaining the lead with 250m remaining and holding off a strong finishing surge from the competition. Two other The Autumn Sun fillies, Private Legacy and Coco Sun, rounded out the placings, finishing second and third respectively. The pre-race favourite, Wings Of Song, saw her six-race winning streak snapped as she finished a respectable fourth. “We always liked her,” co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr told Racing.com. “Third-up, 2000 metres, straight to the front, huge effort by the filly. “Missed a run in the Auraria, had a little set back, so massive job by the whole team back at home. “What a gutsy effort by the filly. Huge run. “She was there to be beaten. “Awesome result for everybody.” With her maiden Group 1 victory secured, Vibrant Sun may now be given a well-deserved break. The decision on her participation in the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival features will be made later. 2024 Australasian Oaks Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 6 VIBRANT SUN Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Mark Zahra 11 56kg $6 2 12 PRIVATE LEGACY Gregory Hickman Craig Williams 0.1L 9 56kg $18 3 8 COCO SUN Tony & Calvin McEvoy Ms Jamie Kah 0.2L 3 56kg $8.50 4 2 WINGS OF SONG Patrick Payne Jake Noonan 0.9L 8 56kg $5F 5 1 PULCHRITUDINOUS (NZ) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 1.5L 6 56kg $7 6 10 QUICKSTER Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman Blake Shinn 1.9L 12 56kg $8.50 7 15 BON MISTRESS Ken & Kasey Keys Daniel Stackhouse 3.1L 4 56kg $151 8 7 MOLLYNICKERS Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman Ms Carleen Hefel 3.3L 13 56kg $21 9 3 POSITIVITY (NZ) Andrew Forsman Michael Dee 3.7L 7 56kg $20 10 13 INTO YOU Shay Keating Ms Alana Kelly 4.2L 10 56kg $41 11 14 THE AUTUMN BELLE Henry Dwyer Beau Mertens 4.7L 14 56kg $61 12 5 QUEEN OF DRAGONS Peter & Paul Snowden Damian Lane 4.7L 1 56kg $11 13 9 QALI AL FARRASHA (NZ) Mark Walker Billy Egan 6.5L 16 56kg $41 14 11 CONCELLO Chris Waller James McDonald 6.6L 5 56kg $8 15 4 SERASANA Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock John Allen 9.7L 2 56kg $51 16 16 INFINITY IMPERIAL Liam Howley Chad Schofield 27L 15 56kg $201 19e SHUT THAT D’OR Garret Lynch Sairyn Fawke 0 18e SEEKING STARDOM Andrew Gluyas 0 17e HARVEST MOON Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Ms Winona Costin 0 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Vibrant Sun Shines Brightest in Australasian Oaks Results 2024 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

If Apostrophe (NZ) (Tavistock) has run her final race, the talented mare signed off on a successful career in style with a powerful finish to capture the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Apostrophe was purchased by her trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood for $60,000 at Karaka in 2019 and debuted in the middle of her three-year-old season and has aged like fine wine with each racing season bringing new heights for the now six-year-old mare. This term has been the best yet with her familiar barnstorming finishes coming to the fore in stakes company, narrowly missing Group success in the Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) in January going down by a head, and it was the same story back at Trentham two starts later with a long neck separating her from victory in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m). Stepping out over 2100m in the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes last time out, Apostrophe dominated the fillies and mares’ feature, and punters expected a repeat performance at Te Rapa backing her into $1.60 favouritism ahead of Saint Alice (So You Think) ($7). The daughter of Tavistock was settled just worse than midfield by regular rider Masa Hashizume, with pacemaker Madame Le Fay (Smart Missile) taking control at the top. Last year’s Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) winner Val Di Zoldo (NZ) (War Decree) made a break on the field turning for home, Apostrophe having a decent margin to make up with 300m to go. She used the entire length of the Te Rapa straight to reel in her rivals, but the mare provided her signature late sprint to narrowly secure the victory over Saint Alice by a half-head, with Final Purchase (NZ) (Savabeel) running into third ahead of Val Di Zoldo, whose jockey Wiremu Pinn did a sterling effort to round out the top four after losing an iron late in the race. James admired the performance of the mare, and indicated she may have made her final appearance on race-day after the Group Two feature. “That was a tremendous effort today, halfway down the straight I though she couldn’t win, but she often does that, she hits a flat patch then sprints quickly. She did that at the end of a mile, and now has done it at the end of 2000m,” James said. “Whether we go on I don’t know, she has had soundness issues and she’s done what every breeder wants to do with a mare, and she’s rising seven. This could be her last run. “All credit to the staff at home, she’s high maintenance and there’s a lot of icing, poulticing and bandaging that goes into a horse like this. It’s a team effort, and it brings our team together when you get a win like this too.” The Cambridge horseman paid credit to long-term Kingsclere Stables client Jim Hannan, who has had a string of success in thoroughbred ownership alongside his late wife Helen. Based in Invercargill, the couple won the 1997 edition of Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) with their first horse in Foxwood (NZ) (Centaine), and also were victorious in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2000m) of 2000 with Spottswoode (NZ) (Centaine). “This win was made far more special by Jim Hannan being here, he was up at 5 o’clock this morning, well into his 80’s, to catch a flight, and has been to Matamata to see his yearling as well. It would’ve made his day,” James said. “His first horse with me was Foxwood who won a 2000 Guineas, and he’s been a very loyal and lucky owner since.” In a 21-start career, Apostrophe has earned $314,810 in stakes with seven wins and six minor placings for the Inglewood Partnership, and was bred by the Greenwich Stud Pty Ltd. View the full article