Fangirl set to relish Randwick return in 2025 The 7 Stakes

Connections are backing Fangirl to rebound at Randwick this Saturday after she finished outside the placings in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

The mare was unplaced for just the second time in nearly 20 months when fourth to Treasurethemoment, having missed her intended return in the Winx Stakes due to a heavy track. Trainer Chris Waller wasted no time returning her to Sydney, where she has sharpened up for her main spring assignments.

“She just didn’t handle Caulfield as well as we’d hoped,” said stable representative Charlie Duckworth. “It was her first time around there. She still ran OK and she has still taken good fitness benefit from the trip down and up and her work has actually been really sharp since she has returned. She loves the Randwick mile.”

At seven years of age, Fangirl continues to deliver at the highest level with 11 wins from 34 starts. Her Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) victory in the autumn highlighted her class, and she now chases back-to-back wins in the $1 million 7 Stakes.

“She is the only filly in the race but she stumps up every prep,” Duckworth said. “She always wins a ‘biggie’ so it’s hard to knock her.”

Waller will also run Lindermann, Kovalica, Militarize and Kadavar in the feature. Militarize, who has three Group 1 titles to his name, returned with a strong Tramway Stakes fifth behind Pericles. Duckworth believes the signs are positive.

“His last run rated quite highly in terms of all of his first-up performances. It rated as the second best first-up performance of his entire career so that indicates he is in for a good preparation,” Duckworth said. “Coming off a proper racing prep rather than a breeding barn campaign will help him show his true ability again.”

Militarize, who claimed the 2023 Champagne Stakes, is expected to improve over the Randwick mile this weekend.

Bettors can find markets for Fangirl, Militarize, and Waller’s other runners in the 7 Stakes at Australia’s leading betting sites.