Morphettville Sangster Day Review: Derby & Goodwood Horses to Follow

Group 1 racing in South Australia kicked off on Saturday with the running of The Sangster Stakes and The Australasian Oaks.

Outside of the two majors, there were several other feature races across the Morphettville card that could prove key form references for the upcoming South Australian Derby and Goodwood.

Race 3: Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes

A 3YO staying race over 2000m that is a traditional lead-up to next week’s 2500m Group 1 Derby, where some of these stayers look likely to make a quick back-up.

The Chairman’s was won by Impulsive Reaction, who got the gun run up the inside and made up good ground late to win. That suggests he heads towards the Derby off this run.

The run of the filly Boomeroo, who finished 2nd, was very good. She didn’t gain a start in the Oaks and doesn’t hold a nomination for the Derby, but she may be suited to the 2500m Group 3 Fillies Classic on Goodwood Day.

Outside of those two, Engine Of War was hitting the line strongly late and will appreciate the rise in distance next time. The well-supported Mcwoody could perhaps be a forgive. He found himself in an awkward position in the run and struck trouble at the top of the straight, but picked up to get through the line well enough for 5th, so he is a watch for next week.

Race 5: Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes

This was a sprint feature over 1100m. In recent times, the 1200m Tobin Bronze has been the stronger form line for The Goodwood, but two runners out of this 1100m race were eye-catching and can make their presence felt in the Group 1 in two weeks’ time.

Race winner Grand Larceny exploded through a gap late to run away with the win. He came into this race fresh and will be second-up into The Goodwood, so he needs to be strongly considered if he can improve off this run.

Second in the race was Watchme Win, who put in another strong performance, hitting the line well after a wide run. He was always in for a tough run from the wide barrier, but looks ready for the 1200m grand final.

Race 6: Group 2 Tobin Bronze

Last year’s Goodwood winner Reserve Bank took out this race, and this year it was won by Tycoon Star, who had looked close to a win but had been costly late in recent runs when racing greenly.

The visors obviously suited, and James McDonald put him into the race perfectly. He looked to get the best out of him here, so no doubt the Hayes team will be trying everything to book him again for The Goodwood.

Extragalactic, for Trent Edmonds, was an eye-catching run late after having to come wide from the back of the field. If they head to The Goodwood and he can get a better run, he could perhaps threaten.

Outside of those two runners, I don’t feel many others from the race are likely to threaten in The Goodwood in two weeks.

Race 7: Group 1 Australasian Oaks

The Australasian Oaks was taken out by the Chris Waller and James McDonald combination with Panova.

The ride was superb from J-Mac, who started to stoke her up before the bend. That gave her clear galloping room to build momentum in the straight, and she looked the winner a long way out.

I’m not expecting her to back up into The Derby, with Waller mentioning the Queensland Oaks in his post-race interview.

In 2nd was local filly Mating Call, who, similar to race favourite Getta Good Feeling, found traffic at the top of the straight which halted momentum and may have proven costly.

In recent years, the Oaks has been a strong form race heading towards the Derby, with fillies Femminile and Coco Sun having taken out the race in the previous two years. This year, however, there don’t seem to be as many fillies nominated from the race.

Perhaps a runner like Kazaru will be suited backing up and getting to the 2500m trip. The same could be said for VRC Oaks winner Strictly Business, who has been well below her best this prep and had no luck in this Oaks. Can we forgive her and give her one more chance if they head to the Derby?

Race 8: Group 1 The Sangster

It was a tight finish, with 0.5L covering 1st to 4th on the line.

The race was taken out by Geegees Mistruth, who bounced back to her better form after having issues since a problematic Oakleigh Plate. The stable suggested she would spell now off this, so we won’t see her head to The Goodwood.

The 2nd and 3rd runners, Bridal Waltz and Charm Stone, may be tempted to return in two weeks after this close finish, but Charm Stone does appear to be heading towards a UK trip, so the timing may not work out.

The unlucky run of the race was definitely Flying For Fun, who appeared to hit the line strongest but was held up momentarily and couldn’t get through. She is perhaps one to follow into The Goodwood and has attracted strong support in futures markets.