With evenly matched field, Sangster should be stellar for bettors

The most appealing aspect of Friday’s Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes for fillies and mares at Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide, Australia, is the lack of a clear favorite.

As of Thursday, there were six runners in a field of 15 listed between 6-1 and 8-1, with Commemorative and Climbing Star leading the group at 6-1. Asfoora and Stretan Angel were 7-1, while A Little Deep and Charm Stone were 8-1.

All have solid credentials, with Asfoora, Commemorative, and Climbing Star holding particular appeal in what should be an outstanding betting race.

Asfoora and Climbing Star were first and third in the Group 3 Irwin Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Morphettville on April 12. Asfoora was third early in the race, while Climbing Star was beaten slightly more than a half-length after closing from eighth of 10.

The same day, Commemorative was a good second as the 7-5 favorite in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at six furlongs at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney. The six-furlong distance of the $640,000 Sangster Stakes may be ideal for Climbing Star if she can hold off a late run from Commemorative.

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The Sangster will be a class test for Charm Stone, who has not raced since finishing second by three-quarters of a length in the $1.28 million Magic Millions Cup at seven furlongs in January.

The Sangster Stakes is preceded by the Group 1 Australasian Oaks for Southern Hemisphere 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/4 miles on turf, which drew a competitive field of 16 with a $640,000 purse.

Benagil, second to division leader Treasurethe Moment in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes at 1 1/4 miles at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney on April 1, was a slight favorite at 3-1 on Thursday over Too Darn Lizzie, who was second and third behind Treasurethe Moment in two group stakes in February and March.

The danger from off the pace is Polymnia, who has won once in nine starts but was a fast-closing second in the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes at 1 1/4 miles at Randwick on April 5, missing by slightly less than a half-length.

Morphettville has a nine-race program that begins at 10:32 p.m. Eastern. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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