2025 Furious Stakes tilt beckons for Cantiamo

Cantiamo’s narrow win in the Kensington midweek meeting might not have been as emphatic as her $1.55 quote suggested, but it was enough to get her maiden victory on the board and keep her progressing towards better targets.

Patiently ridden by James McDonald, the filly only reeled in Nullarbor Jane ($4.80) late, claiming the MyPlates Handicap (1150m) by a long head. Trainer Kris Lees felt the run carried more merit than the margin indicated.

“I think there was still a bit of merit to the win,” Lees said.

“They don’t pay any more if they win by spaces, but she is a work in progress.

“She’s got a lot of improvement to come and I think she will measure up to some better races in time.”

Lees said the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on September 6 remained an option depending on how Cantiamo pulls up from the run.

On the same program, Chris Waller’s promising colt Sixties ($2.90 fav), a full brother to Group 1 star Artorius, powered to a seven-length win in the Inglis Xtra Bonus Handicap (1150m), giving McDonald an early winning double.

“We’ve always had a bit of time for him, he has just taken a bit longer than we thought to show it,” Waller said.

“Ticking the box of the first win is always important. I never get too far ahead of myself but I will go away a bit more excited to say, ‘OK, what can we find for you?’.“

Waller plans to step Sixties through the grades, with a Saturday handicap over 1200m or 1300m the likely next step.

Punters can check the latest betting markets for the Furious Stakes to secure early value ahead of the feature race.