Lindermann back to his best in Chelmsford Stakes

Lindermann returned to his best form but Fangirl may have run her last race after the delayed Group 2 $300,000 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) was finally run and won at Royal Randwick today.

A huge storm with heavy rain and gale-force winds swept across Randwick soon after the running of the preceding race, the Concorde Stakes and resulted in a 20 minute delay to the Chelmsford.

But the wind and rain had abated for the weight-for-age mile race and Lindermann led throughout under Nash Rawiller in a virtual repeat of his win in the same race last year.

The only difference this time is Lindermann won the Chelmsford far more easily, scoring by nearly two lengths.

Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller, who won his ninth Chelmsford Stakes with Lindermann, was full of praise for horse and rider.

“That was Lindermann at his best, Nash at this best,” Waller said.

“He came through that first-up run which had a frantic pace and bounced back today.

“He has his confidence back now.”

Lindermann ($2.70 favourite) dashed clear into the straight and raced away to win by nearly two lengths from the fast finishing Ceolwulf ($3.60) with Fangirl ($3.30) three-quarters of a length away third.

Both Ceolwulf and Fangirl broke the $11 million prizemoney barrier with their Chelmsford placings but it was a polar opposite reaction by connections of each horse.

Trainer Joe Pride and jockey Chad Schofield were delighted with Ceolwulf’s fast-finishing second which has the horse on track for a three-peat in the Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 17.

“He was huge,” Schofield said of Ceolwulf. “We knew the race lacked pressure and we knew Lindermann would get the lead he got.

“We just didn’t want to go reinventing the wheel with him second up by putting him up on speed. I took him back from a bad draw and he ripped home late. I’m very happy.”

Fangirl won the King Charles herself in 2023 but Waller admitted the mare is racing below her best.

“Fangirl was brave again but I would say that will be her last run,” Waller said. “I will have a talk with the Ingham family on Monday.

“She was gallant but nowhere near her best. She would have got them a year ago, even a few months ago.

“She has been an awesome horse for Sydney to follow but I would say she has run her last race. She has been so good for so long.”

Lindermann has also been an enduring star for the Waller stable and as a seven-year-old gelding, he is racing as well as ever.

“We were going hard enough early and you don’t have to be in a hurry to get over with this horse,” said Rawiller after his fifth win in the Chelmsford Stakes.

“Once Lindermann got into that rhythm, he is tough to run down. He is a beauty.

“I trialled him and was so happy with him then his first-up he was too bad to be true but to Hugh Bowwan’s credit, he didn’t knock the horse around when he was beaten and that was why he was able to bounce back today.

“The last 12 months have been his best, he is going so well. There is some talk he might go to the Group 1 Underwood Stakes next – he would be hard to beat around Caulfield.”

Waller admitted he was unsure where to go with Lindermann next although he baulked at a possible showdown with stablemate, champion mare Autumn Glow in the Group 2 $1 million 7 Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on September 19.

“I’m not sure where to go next with Lindermann, we will have a look at things,” Waller said.

“Then the 7 Stakes is going to be tricky in two weeks time but we will weigh everything up and see what is best for him.”