High class mare Spright produced a powerful last to first finish to win the Group 1 $600,000 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville today.
Spright, above winning at Rosehill, reproduced her customary late finish to win the 2019 Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville. Photo by Steve Hart.
Spright’s first win at Group 1 level in the Robert Sangster Stakes gave champion jockey Damien Oliver his 117 Group 1 win as well as a Group 1 double on the day after winning the $500,000 Schweppes Oaks (2000m) on Princess Jenni.
Winning trainer Garry Frazer wasn’t perturbed that Spright had to jump from the outside gate in the thirteen horse Robert Sangster Stakes field and knew that she would settle well back in the field.
Oliver took the confidence that Spright had a powerful finishing burst and was happy to settle the mare in front of one runner in the early and middle stages.
Oliver rode a patient race and waited until the field had entered the straight for the run home before peeling Spright to the outside.
The well supported Cool Passion was sent out as the $5 equal favourite and Barend Vorster had the Tony McEvoy trained mare travelling sweetly in front but she was unable to match it with Spright ($6) as she swamped her in the final fifty metres.
The Team Hawkes trained Bella Martini ran a handy race for Dwayne Dunn to claim third spot while equal favourite Thrillster ($5) raced on the pace but faded in the straight to beat one runner home to finish twelfth.
Garry Frazer’s son John has been looking after Spright while in Adelaide and said that her work during the week was as good as she has ever done and he was confident heading into the Group 1.
“She worked here on Tuesday morning on the course proper and that was as good as work as she can do. I was really pleased,” John Frazer said.
“She just needs a genuine pace and clear running and she has proved all this prep and last prep that she is one of the better horses in the country to not win a major.”
“Ollie had her in a good spot. He was back second last but he wasn’t far off of them. He was always in a good spot to pounce.”
Frazer will keep Spright in Adelaide and run her again in a fortnight in the Group 1 $750,000 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville.
“The Goodwood is here in two weeks and she will be here lining up,” John Frazer said.
Spright is now the $4 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Goodwood ahead of the Tony McEvoy trained Despatch and Sarah Zschoke’s Eduardo at $8.
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