Lady Laguna causes minor upset in Group 1 Canterbury Stakes
Lady Laguna (+1000) has produced a boil over to claim victory in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes on Saturday afternoon, storming over the top to claim the $750,000 prize.
She had put the writing on the wall throughout the campaign, with a hat-trick of victories holding the Annabel Neasham-trained mare in good stead heading into the event but suffered a minor hiccup last start, finishing second behind Zougotcha in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) a fortnight ago.
A faster run 1300m seemed to do the trick for the daughter of Overshare, who continues her rise through the grades, culminating in Group 1 success for the first time on Saturday.
All the talk was surrounding the return of the Joesph Pride-trained Think About It (+140) heading into the weekend, along with Espiona (+140) hopping on the float back to Sydney after an impressive first-up performance in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington first-up.
Both ended up jumping towards the rear of the field, with Think About It making a mid-race move with 600m to travel, it gave jockey Tyler Schiller the perfect opportunity to check off the back of the Everest winner with 400m to go, putting them away stylishly in the concluding stages.
Think About It lost no admirers holding onto the runner-up position, while a fast-finishing Espiona would have to settle for a third-place finish.
2024 Canterbury Stakes Replay – Lady Laguna
Lady Laguna was simply too good in the end, and Annabel Neasham was on course to discuss the dominant win of her talented mare.
“No horse deserves it more than her,” said an elated Neasham.
“She’s an iron-woman. She’s so tough.
“We were a little bit further back than I wanted to be but it was a beautiful ride by Tyler and I’m just so over the moon that she’s a Group 1 winner. And to win for OTI and the team is just so special.
“She’s just very straightforward. She’s always a happy, sound horse.
“I didn’t gallop her on Tuesday because in the back of my mind I had the Coolmore Classic for next week as well, so I thought we’ll just keep her fresh because she’s been up a long time. And that’s the beauty with her, you don’t have to do a whole lot with her.
“She’s an absolute star.”
It was the second Group 1 success as a jockey for Tyler Schiller as he spoke to the gravity of the victory for himself and how the race unfolded for his mount.
“It feels as good as the first time,” said Schiller.
“I actually thought she was going to get rounded up late but she just kept kicking and she was strong for the 1300 (metres). She’s not a renowned 1300-metre horse but she was too good for them there.
“I would have loved to have actually stayed in behind Bandersnatch or be in advance of him early, he was a bit of a fly in the ointment but it gave me a lovely run in transit.
“And once I pulled into the lane I just had to travel her up the rise and she was too strong for them late.”