The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable has had mixed fortune with their three runners in a Group 1 in Adelaide.
At Tuesday’s barrier draw for the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday, Maher and Eustace had one draw the inside gate, one draw widest and their third not too far from the inside.
Away Game came up with gate one, Bella Nipotina in barrier three while Snapdancer drew 16 in the 16-horse field.
Snapdancer won at the Gold Coast in January and then in Sydney in February before running down the track in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington in March.
“Snapdancer, she raised the bar in Sydney, but then it was a funny race at Flemington,” Maher said.
“A lot of the horses in that race didn’t run to form, or couldn’t, that’s the way it seemed, but she might not have been up to it.
“But back to mares’ grade, with a gap between runs, it suits her as she obviously goes well fresh.”
Away Game is lining up for her second run in the Robert Sangster Stakes.
She finished fifth, as a two-year-old behind Bella Vella in the 2020 edition.
“She’s had a nice break leading into it and goes well fresh,” Maher said.
“Her fitness is good.”
The much-travelled Bella Nipotina is lining up for her first outing in Adelaide having raced in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane previously.
Bella Nipotina was a last start winner of the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (12-00m) at Rosehill on April 9.
“She is fantastic and deserving of a Group 1,” Maher said.
The Chris Waller-trained Group 1 William Reid Stakes winner September Run, who drew gate 5, is the $4.80 favourite with TAB from Away Game ($7.50) and Bella Nipotina ($8) while Snapdaner is a $10 chance.
