Group l racing at Morphettville continues this Saturday with the Fillies and Mares doing battle in the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m).
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 Robert Sangster Stakes.
2023 Robert Sangster Stakes Speed Map
Despite it being a field of 14, there isn’t much early speed engaged. Passive Aggressive and Marabi are your two main speed influences and they look like they can control the race from the front. Seradess likely lands box seat while Bella Nipotina won’t be far away.
2023 Robert Sangster Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Bella Nipotina: Ripping mare. Brave as ever in The Quokka at Ascot after getting a mile back, she worked home with real purpose to run third to Overpass. Back to Mares grade, ideal map, bit of cushion in the track, she has to be respected.
2. Roch N Horse: They have been playing catch up with her since the Autumn and she just hasn’t really fired overall. Her best likely sees her win this, but I’d rather just watch her than back.
3. Marabi: Fascinating runner. On speed and tired in the Lightning early on in the Autumn Carnival and was spelled. Kept on ice, been set for this race and her best is very good. Cheap run on speed, she’ll get every chance to find positive form.
4. Zapateo: Godolphin are very good when it comes to placing their runners to advantage and this has been a set play for Zapateo. She comes here off two strong wins at Stakes level in Sydney, the latest being four weeks ago in The Sapphire at Randwick where she made an absolute mess of them in what pretty much was a trial for her. Edge off the track is perfect, sits off a good speed and will take holding out.
5. September Run: Ran well in this race last year and she is a mare who shouldn’t be entirely dismissed. Unlucky to an extent in the William Reid and is using the same path to last year. Draw makes things tricky and will need a special ride from Williams.
6. Passive Aggressive: Passive Aggressive has the runs on the board and has to be respected. Resumed with a bang when winning at Randwick, beating the likes of Eduardo and Giga Kick, before finding the 1200m of the TJ Smith a bridge way too far when down the track behind I Wish I Win. Kept on ice with this race in mind and back to Mares grade, she’s going to take beating.
7. Espiona: It’s rare to say that a Group l is being used as a barrier trial, but I think this has to be a trial for Espiona in readiness for the Stradbroke/Tatts Tiara. Ended her Autumn on a high when taking out the Coolmore Classic. She’s very good but 1200m is short of her best, she’ll be conceding a start…not for me here.
8. Chain Of Lightning: Really came of age in the Spring but when they tested her against the big boys in the Autumn, she didn’t measure up at all. Freshened up and back to Mares grade this time around, I wouldn’t pen her.
9. Literary Magnate: This stable should be respected this time of year and they have been strong at Warrnambool. Gun fresh mare who will be strong at 1200m and maps to get a perfect run. Can certainly entertain her as a first four threat.
10. Seradess: She saves her best for Adelaide and was unlucky in the Irwin, plus maps to get the box seat…not sure she wins, but can see her pinching a first four spot at a price, and there will be great emotion given the late Dean Holland rode her in the Irwin.
11. Diamonds: Chris Bieg trained mare that resumes. She was one of the real finds of the Spring/Summer here, albeit at a few levels below this. I don’t think she is good enough to measure up against these.
12. Another Award: Didn’t run too bad in this race last year and is flying this time around. Loved the way she closed off her race in the Irwin two weeks ago…the problem will be the tempo is likely to be controlled and not mad, which puts pay to her chances.
13. Ruthless Dame: Ruthless Dame is a very, very interesting runner. Maher/Eustace trained filly that was absolutely enormous two back in the Surround before a down the track effort in a brutally run Coolmore Classic. Another stable that are very good with placement and this filly has been set for this race, plus 3YO’s do have a good record, so she has to be given a winning chance.
14. I’mlovinya: Nice filly that made a mess of them two weeks ago in the Redelva. Got the dream run in transit behind the speed and quickly pounced to put them away. More depth here but she draws to get a cheap run in transit…but not sure she is good enough to take this out.
2023 Robert Sangster Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place on Zapateo. Think she only runs well.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $6450
Group l Strategy Return: $3809.50
