Ciaron Maher & David Eustace have taken out the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes, however, it was with the third pick in the market, their three-year-old filly Ruthless Dame, as she produced a booming finish to run over the top of the leaders and record her maiden Group 1 victory at her sixth start.
After winning the Sangster Stakes aboard Ruthless Dame, John Allen has now won all four of the Group 1’s in Adelaide, adding to his South Australian Derby, Australasian Oaks and The Goodwood victories throughout his career.
There looked to be an abundance of speed in the Group 1 feature of the day, with the likes of Marabi, Seradess and Passive Aggressive in the race, and that was exactly what we got, as Marabi and Seradess fought for the lead and set a very good tempo.
Due to that hot tempo, it set the race up for it to be won by a horse that was travelling at the back of the field and could find the outside and let down, which is exactly what the daughter of Tavistock did in the final 300m.
The win comes somewhat of a small boilover, as Ruthless Dame was sent around as a $15 chance with online bookmakers but proved too good for her rivals.
2023 Robert Sangster Stakes Replay – Ruthless Dame
The win in the Robert Sangster Stakes has capped off a huge week for the Maher & Eustace stable after they took out several of the features at the Warrnambool May Carnival.
“I did get asked the question a couple of times today that we could have run in the next race, but she is already Group 1 placed, and we just thought that she would be able to have the last crack at them,” Ciaron Maher said.
“That was basically it, we know the race always has speed, so to have the last crack at them as she has form over a lot further.
“Johnny Allen, another beautiful calm ride. I said to him last week that I need to get him back over the jumps, but he keeps riding these G1 winners.
“She had pneumonia and got really sick, so that’s why she had such a long time off.
“Well, it wouldn’t be too hard to go up north to the (Tatts) Tiara, or she could come back here for The Goodwood, we will just let the dust settle and work it out.”
John Allen has picked up another South Australian Group 1, with the Robert Sangster Stakes giving him at least one of each of the Adelaide Group 1’s for his career.
“I’ve always enjoyed coming down here, and it’s always great to knock off the set and get the four of them,” Allen said.
“Great job by Ciaron Maher and the team to freshen her up back from Sydney and get her back to 1200 (metres).
“I was happy when a bit of rain came, because I knew it would just take away a bit of the brilliance of the other sprinters.
“When I travelled into it, I knew she was going to be strong to the finish line.”
Ruthless Dame is now the third favourite at $8 with online betting sites in The Goodwood futures market.
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