2025 Robert Sangster Stakes Day Preview

Group One racing returns to Morphettville this Saturday, with both the Robert Sangster Stakes and the Australasian Oaks to be run and won.

Several interstate visitors have made the journey to Adelaide, so we’re set for a very competitive day of racing with no shortage of quality on offer.

I’ve taken a close look at each and every runner on the nine race program and you can find my detailed selections right here in my Robert Sangster Stakes Day Preview.

Regal Azmon strips fitter for the two runs back and looks ready to peak.

The Philip Stokes trained gelding was strong to the line when resuming over 1200m at Caulfield and he caught the eye last time at 1400m.

Always wide, he was the buffeted between runners 200m out but still picked up strongly to charge home into third. 

He has won three of his four starts when third up and will relish getting out to the mile.

Barrier six should him afforded a kinder run throughout and he gets in nicely with just 54kgs on his back. 

1 unit – REGAL AZMON

Legacy Bound made a big impression on debut and he looks set for bigger and better things.

Stepping out over 1200m at Ballarat, the son of Ole Kirk took up the running, he travelled sweetly and pulled away from them over the final part to score by just under four lengths.

He looked to be doing it on raw ability and whilst this a big step up in grade, he’ll be better for the experience.  

Barrier three should see him awarded all the favours and he gets the services of Mark Zahra.    

2 units – LEGACY BOUND

Manolo Bling kicked off her campaign with a dominant win over 1100m and she looks well placed to repeat that performance.

Only lightly raced, the Anthony and Sam Freedman trained filly has put together a tidy record and I think she’ll continue to rise through the grades.

She takes on the older horses for the first time but she’s come back in fine order and I think she’s more than up to it.

Ben Melham guided her to victory at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day and he’ll reunite with her with for this year’s John Hawkes Stakes. 

1 unit – MANOLO BLING

Compressing takes a big leap in grade as he comes off a Benchmark 64 win at Cranbourne but I think the son of Savabeel is worth following.

Unbeaten in two raceday appearances, he made his debut late last month in a Terang maiden where he did everything right and kicked away in the straight to score a decisive victory over the mile.

He settled further back last time when stepping up to 2080m and when carried very wide approaching the home turn he looked to have the job ahead but he showed great tenacity to power home and get his head down where it counted. 

This is obviously a lot tougher but he’s an improving type and I think he has a touch of class about him.

He gets the in-form Ethan Brown aboard and with luck off the wide draw, I think he’ll make his presence felt. 

1 unit E/W – COMPRESSING

Imperial Force makes the trip to Adelaide after a solid effort to finish a close second in the Arrowfield Sprint.

Taking up the running in the 1200m Group 2 feature, the son of Snitzel fought gamely when headed in the straight but just found Enriched better on the day.

Adding further merit to the performance was the fact he was found to have the thumps post-race. 
 
A winner at both of his runs prior to that outing, he’s returned in fine form this preparation and he gets in very nicely under the set weights conditions.

Jamie Melham will do the steering and they’re set to receive all the favours off the inside draw in this year’s Tobin Bronze Stakes. 

1 unit – IMPERIAL FORCE

Zloties comes into the Queen Of The South off a strong win in the Bendigo Gold Bracelet and I think she’ll relish getting out to the mile here.

Only lightly raced, having had the eight starts, she’s building an enviable record and has continued to rise through the grades with ease.

She did make the trip to Sydney last preparation to contest the Angst Stakes, her only try so far at 1600m, and she was heavily crowded for much of the event but still hit the line strongly. 

Jordan Childs knows her well and he stays in the saddle for Graham Begg.

1 unit – ZLOTIES

Movin’ Out has just had the three starts on Australian soil and was quick to find the winners’ stall as she cruised to victory last start in the Mornington Guineas.

The former Kiwi had three runs in her homeland, securing a third placing in the Group 1 NZ Thousand Guineas, before making the journey across the ditch. 

She was solid when kicking off in the Phar Lap Stakes and was lucky to stay on her feet after clipping heels in the Vinery.

The way she surged to the line last time suggests she’ll relish getting out to 2000m again and she draws to enjoy a cosy run throughout under Ben Melham.

2 units – MOVIN’ OUT

Charm Stone returns to the races and she looks ready to go off a recent jump out win.

The daughter of I Am Invincible has also shown plenty of talent but has had a few set backs along the way.

She put together back to back stakes wins as an early three year old before contesting the Golden Rose, where she was beaten only a length behind Militarize.

She’s just had a handful of starts since that run and was luckless in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes last campaign.

She gets another chance at a Group One and I feel she’s certainly capable.

With regular rider Damian Lane sidelined, she gets a suitable replacement in Mark Zahra and with luck off the tricky draw, I think she’ll be right in this. 

1 unit – CHARM STONE

Sachem returns to the races and he has been placed in five of his six first up appearances.

The Street Boss gelding was racing in top form last campaign, performing consistently in stronger races.  

He was only beaten half a length when kicking off last time in and that was over 1100m, so the 1200m this time, looks ideal.

The wide draw will see settle back in the field and he’ll be doing his best work late.  

1 unit E/W – SACHEM