Fangirl stars in Queen Of The Turf Stakes win
Fangirl justified her switch to the Queen Of The Turf Stakes with a rousing victory at Randwick, handing trainer Chris Waller yet another Group 1 win on the second day of The Championships.
While Waller celebrated a huge victory in the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) with Via Sistina, Fangirl followed up soon after in the Queen Of The Turf (1600m), proving too strong under James McDonald for her fourth Group 1 triumph.
The win followed a strong campaign for Fangirl, who had previously beaten Via Sistina in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes before recording seconds in the Verry Elleegant and George Ryder Stakes.
Her latest Group 1 success came at the expense of the in-form Doncaster Mile winner Stefi Magnetica and was her first top-level win since the King Charles III Stakes last spring.
“Each preparation she just stands up and she’s counted,” Waller said.
“We took a step back today from the Queen Elizabeth but she’ll get her time in another 2000-metre race, I promise her that.
“Obviously today means so much. You’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.”
McDonald, who had earlier partnered Via Sistina to victory, said the Queen Of The Turf set-up suited Fangirl perfectly.
“She’s a great mare. I love her to bits,” McDonald said.
From a second-last position before the bend, McDonald steered Fangirl along the rails, where she surged with Atishu. Fangirl pulled ahead in the final stages as Stefi Magnetica arrived late out wide.
At $1.60, Fangirl prevailed by three-quarters of a length over Stefi Magnetica ($6.50), with Atishu ($9.50) finishing a nose back in third in her career finale ahead of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
“She was brave too,” Waller said of Atishu.
“It’s her last run today, Atishu, and she’s been an amazing horse.
“In the last three years she’s won this race, got beaten a nose last year and been beaten by Fangirl and the Doncaster winner this year.”
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