Asfoora Looks to Extend Her Speed in Robert Sangster

Ballarat trainer Henry Dwyer admits that the 1,200-meter (about six-furlong) trip is a question mark for Asfoora (AUS) ahead of the April 26 Robert Sangster Stakes (G1) at Morphettville Racecourse. The Royal Ascot heroine has never won over the distance, but Dwyer believes if she were to win a group 1 at the trip, it would be this weekend under Mitch Aitken. "It's a tricky situation with her trying to find ideal races, and 1,200 meters is not her ideal hitting zone," Dwyer told Racing.com. "She's against her own sex and it's weight for age. If she's ever going to do it, that'll be it. She can win over 1,000 meters, 1,100, her record is pretty dynamic. "She just takes those fairy steps at the end of 1,200 meters. She couldn't be any fitter going into Saturday. If it was 1,100 meters, I would be that confident, it's not funny. But knowing the end of it, having not drawn a gate (14) and having to do some work early might just take the sting out of her." Asfoora has proven exceptional at the five-furlong distance (held just over 1,000 meters), triumphing in last year's King Charles Stakes (G1) before finishing second by a head to Big Evs (IRE) in the King George Stakes (G2). The Flying Artie (AUS) mare capped her 2024 campaign with a close fourth in the Nunthorpe Stakes (G1). She returned to Australia and kicked off her 2025 season with a last-out win in the 5 1/2-furlong (1,100 meters) Irwin Stakes (G3) April 12 at Morphetville. Stockdale Keen on Stretan Angel Thomas Stockdale arguably gets his best opportunity to break through at group 1 level Saturday when he partners Stretan Angel (AUS) in the Robert Sangster Stakes. The Victorian jockey had his first group 1 ride earlier this year, finishing fifth on Semana (AUS) in the C.F. Orr Stakes (G1) at Caulfield Racecourse. While he hasn't ridden Stretan Angel in a race, he has been aboard in trackwork and won a jump-out on the Phillip Stokes-trained mare at Pakenham April 15. The 4-year-old has placed three times at group 1 level, including when second in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (G1) first up this campaign and third in the Newmarket Handicap (G1), which was followed by a last-start fourth in the William Reid Stakes (G1) March 22. "I believe she's one of the few to beat," Stockdale told Racing.com. "I trialed her the other morning and she won. I get a better guide of her in gallops than I do in her trials—I galloped her after her trial, and she gave me just as good a feel as she did going into her Lightning run. She's in tip-top order." Benagil Ready for Australasian Oaks Challenge Trainer Glen Thompson registered his biggest success when Bankers Choice (NZ) won the Mornington Cup April 19 and is looking to top that when he saddles Benagil (AUS) in the Australasian Oaks (G1) at Morphettville Saturday. Benagil is the AU$4 favorite in early markets for the group 1 after a breakthrough autumn campaign, winning the Platinum Guineas at Caulfield before chasing home dual Oaks winner Treasurethe Moment (AUS) in the Vinery Stud Stakes (G1) at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse April 1. Thompson had considered staying in Sydney for the Australian Oaks (G1) to reoppose Treasurethe Moment, who subsequently won that race, but felt Saturday's Australasian Oaks was a better fit. "That's one of the main reasons we dodged Sydney and looked at, hopefully, this easier option and it's her chance to win a group 1," the trainer said. "And watching the race the other day, I think we've made the right call."