Australia: Fangril scores upset in Winx Stakes

Fangirl, second in two of the toughest races for milers in Australia earlier this year, won Saturday’s Group 1 Winx Stakes at a mile at Royal Randwick Racecourse, catching former American-based runner Princess Grace in the final strides.

Ridden by James McDonald, Fangirl ($9.30) won by a neck over 14-1 Princess Grace, who looked like a winner in the final sixteenth.

Princess Grace was a five-time graded stakes winner for owner and breeders John and Susan Moore and trainer Mike Stidham from 2020 to 2022 in California, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. Princess Grace earned more than $1.44 million in her American career before she was sold for $1.7 million last November in Kentucky.

Fangirl’s win gave trainer Chris Waller his 150th win in a Group 1 race.

Zaaki, the multiple stakes winner in Australia, finished third at odds of 7-2.

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Fangirl, a 5-year-old Australian-bred mare by the More than Ready stallion Sebring, has won 6 of 19 starts, including five stakes. She won the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes at about 1 1/8 miles at Newcastle Racecourse for Southern Hemisphere 3-year-old fillies in March 2022.

Earlier this year, Fangirl was second to Anamoe in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes at a mile at Randwick in February, and second to the same rival in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes at 7 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens in March. Anamoe is a leading contender for the title of Australia’s Horse of the Year for the 2022-2023 season. Anamoe was retired earlier this year.

Fangirl and Princess Grace were first and second in a talented field in the Winx Stakes that included 12 Group 1 or Grade 1 winners. The field did not include the former American multiple stakes winner Going Global, who was scratched.

Sunday Preview

Boho Chick has thrived in her second starts following a comeback in a career that began in May 2020. In four such scenarios, Boho Chick has won three times.

The fifth time will occur when Boho Chick has her second start after a four-month rest in a handicap for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs at Scone Racecourse on Sunday evening.

A 6-year-old mare, Boho Chick has won 4 of 24 starts. Earlier this year, Boho Chick won a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Port Macquarie on Jan. 1 in her second start following a five-month layoff.

On Aug. 6 at Scone, Boho Chick finished second by three lengths in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs in her first start since April.

For Sunday evening’s race at Scone, Boho Chick was the 9-2 second choice in early betting on Saturday in a field of 11 behind Diva Carolina, who won a maiden race at 7 1/4 furlongs at Kempsey Racecourse in her sixth start on July 29.

Diva Carolina led throughout the maiden race win, a tactic different than her previous starts when she raced from a stalking position. Diva Carolina will have her debut against winners at Scone on Sunday evening.

Scone has an eight-race program beginning at 10:40 p.m. Eastern or 7:40 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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