Fangirl too good for Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes rivals
Fangirl was one of the heaviest backed runners with horse racing bookmakers during The Championships, and thanks to a 10 out of 10 ride from star jockey James McDonald, the Chris Waller-trained mare took out the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes on Saturday afternoon.
The daughter of Sebring jumped as an odds-on favourite at -166.67 with BlondeBet, and even though she was the class horse in the 1600m contest, favourite backers would have been worried when she settled second to last on the rail.
As expected, Grinzinger Belle (+1800) took up the lead ahead of Lazzura (+850), while Quickster (+12500) and Sounds Of Heaven (+12500) took up a good position behind the leading duo.
Very little changed throughout the race, but as the field went past the 600m mark, the runs started to come from the swoopers, leaving enough space for Atishu (+900) and Fangirl to make up ground along the inside of runners.
Fangirl and Atishu made their runs up the inside running rail, and they quickly took over from Lazzura, passing the 200m mark.
The two stablemates continued to battle in the concluding stages before Stefi Magnetica (+550) finally got into clear air and charged at them.
With James McDonald throwing everything at the eventual winner, she kicked clear of Atishu, and even though Stefi Magnetica charged late, Fangirl held on to win by a length on the line.
Chris Waller claimed his second Group 1 of the day, following Via Sistina’s win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and he spoke after Fangirl’s win.
“Yeah, an amazing team of owners, that’s a huge thing in itself,” Waller said.
“There’s so many great stories with any winner on the racetrack, but the Group 1s on big days like today, it really is special. So I don’t know where to start.
“She won her first race in Goulburn during COVID, if I remember.
“Yeah, she’s come a long way. Each preparation, she just stands up and she’s counted.
“We took a step back today from the Queen Elizabeth, but she’ll get her time in another 2,000m race, I promise you that.
“Obviously, today means so much.
“We’ve got to have horses winning, and the big races especially.
“We would have liked to have had a crack at the Queen Elizabeth, but Via Sistina was flying, and I didn’t want to break her heart.”
James McDonald was very happy with the win post-race.
“She’s a great mare, love her to bits,” McDonald said.
“Just ridden a bit quieter today than what we did last time.
“Tried to win last start and she ran well, but back to mares’ grade, it was looking pretty good.
“She’s quick, she’s got a lethal 400m, but not 405m.
“I thought I’d be there, because last time I drove her up, today I wasn’t going to do that and so I was always going to be curled up somewhere, and I was just going to have to pray that it would open up.
“Sometimes when you just let it happen before trying to make it happen, it can be in your favour.
“I actually went out there with the mindset that she was a 10-to-1 chance and rode her like that.”
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