G1 pair in good order for Robert Sangster Stakes

The Ciaron Maher-trained Estriella has maintained her position at the head of betting for the Robert Sangster Stakes despite drawing a wide gate.

Estriella drew out in barrier 11 of the 14 acceptors in the Group 1 race for fillies and mares over 1200m at Morphettville on Saturday in which she will be joined by stablemate I Am Me which drew barrier two.

Maher is chasing a third straight win in the race having scored with Snapdancer in 2022 and Ruthless Dame last year when in a training partnership David Eustace.

If either Estriella or I Am Me prevail they will provide their respective jockeys Mark Zahra or Blake Shinn with their first wins in the race.

Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull, who runs the Maher operation at Cranbourne and has overseen the preparation of both horses, said the two horses enter Saturday’s race in excellent shape.

“It’s going to be a great race,” Turnbull said.

“We are very happy with both of them, and they are both high up in the market.”

Turnbull said Estriella was super exciting while I Am Me is a big-race performer that has placed twice behind Imperatriz at Group 1 level.

The pair ran one-two in a Cranbourne jump-out over 800m on April 15 which was their main piece of work leading into Saturday’s contest.

“Estriella had Mark Zahra in the saddle and both horses trialled equally as impressive as each other,” Turnbull said.

“Both ran time, both pulled up fine.

“That was their main bit of work leading into the race and they did a bit of work on Monday just for their heads.

“All the work is done. It’s now a matter of keeping them safe and sound up until the race.

“It’s a Group 1 race for fillies and mares. These races are rare, but for horses like I Am Me and Estriella, it’s important for their future broodmare careers.”

Following Tuesday’s final field declaration, Estriella was the $3.20 favourite with I Am Me second pick at $5.50.

Benedetta, which took out the Group 3 R N Irwin Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on April 13, sits on the next line of betting at $6.50 after drawing barrier one.