2024 Robert Sangster Stakes Results: Climbing Star Stuns in Local Upset

April 27, 2024

2024 Robert Sangster Stakes Results: Climbing Star Stuns in Local Upset

It was a fantastic local result for trainer Phillip Stokes and young hoop Lachlan Neindorf in Saturday’s 2024 Robert Sangster Stakes with the in-form Climbing Star saluting at a big price.

The four-year-old daughter of Zoustar hit her peak on Grand Final day after good lead-up runs winning the Listed Matrice Classic (1200m) and running second to Benedetta a fortnight back in the Group 3 RN Irwin Stakes (1100m).

She made a mess of the jump and so Neindorf was forced to abandon plans of going to the outside in the Group 1 $1 million Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m).

Instead, the jockey kept his cool going to the inside and staying back off the pace until the closing stages.

Once on the home straight Neindorf stuck to the rails and Climbing Star ($26) was able to save all the ground and fight off a late challenge by the fast finishing Learning To Fly.

Race favourite Estriella jumped well and showed tremendous early speed to take up front running from the likes of I Am Me and Zapateo, but they were found out late.

All eyes went to Annabel Neasham’s speedy Justify filly Learning To Fly, coming off a fourth to Tropical Squall in Sydney’s Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) on March 2, who hit another gear 150m out from the line.

She looked like she was going to steal the show, but Climbing Star dug deep and had the energy and will to win.

Learning To Fly snared a close second, while the winner’s last start conqueror Benedetta also finished off strongly to run third and complete the Robert Sangster Stakes trifecta.

“That was super,” winning trainer Stokes told Racing.com.

“I was watching the race and I thought hang on a second, what happened? We were meant to get her to the outside.

“No horse had been there (the inside) all day.

“Great for Lachie to get the win.”

Neindorf celebrated his maiden Group 1 success and was overcome with emotion after the race.

“It was a really good win. She stumbled at the start and I wanted to be a lot closer.

“Eventually, we got the favours and here we are!”

Stokes said the team would see how Climbing Star pulled up, but there was no firm plans to run in the Group 1 $1 million The Goodwood (1200m) on May 11.

“We got her to peak on the day today,” he said.

“She’s come of her own now. She’s coming of age and just starting to blossom now.

“They still haven’t seen the best of her.

“She’s got a great spring ahead of her I think.

“We’d want to be happy with her (to contest The Goodwood). We don’t have to do that.

“If she pulls up well, we’ll look at it.”

Platelet (2013) was the last runner to complete the Robert Sangster Stakes – The Goodwood double in the same year.

2024 Robert Sangster Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price
1 7 CLIMBING STAR (NZ) Phillip Stokes Lachlan Neindorf 14 56.5kg $26
2 13 LEARNING TO FLY Annabel Neasham Chad Schofield 0.3L 13 54.5kg $10
3 4 BENEDETTA Jason Warren Daniel Stackhouse 0.4L 1 56.5kg $9
4 2 I AM ME Ciaron Maher Blake Shinn 1.4L 2 56.5kg $5
5 12 ESTRIELLA Ciaron Maher Mark Zahra 2.5L 11 54.5kg (cd 55kg) $2.80F
6 14 STRETAN ANGEL Phillip Stokes Damian Lane 2.9L 10 54.5kg $26
7 11 WALTZ ON BY Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman Billy Egan 4.1L 8 56.5kg $26
8 10 SNAPPED Anthony & Sam Freedman Todd Pannell 4.4L 7 56.5kg $81
9 1 ZAPATEO James Cummings Ms Jamie Kah 4.5L 3 56.5kg $8
10 9 WONDERFUL TONIGHT Sam Mynott Craig Williams 5L 12 56.5kg $101
11 3 PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE Grahame Begg Jordan Childs 5.1L 6 56.5kg $9
12 8 LEMPICKA Ken & Kasey Keys Blaike McDougall 6.9L 4 56.5kg $81
13 6 SKEW WIFF (NZ) Mark Walker Michael Dee 6.9L 5 56.5kg $81
14 5 ROOTS Chris Waller James McDonald 8L 9 56.5kg $26

Table Credit: Racing Australia.


THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 SA Derby Winner Coco Sun ...

Guineas Winner Kintyre Unlikel...

Guineas Winner Kintyre Unlikely for 2024 Queensland Derby

Connections of the high-flying Kintyre are unlikely to press onto the...

Victory Stakes Winner Antino R...

Victory Stakes Winner Antino Rockets into Stradbroke 2024 Favouritism

Antino finally lived up to the hype of trainer Tony Gollan who had been...

Vibrant Sun Shines in 2024 Aus...

Vibrant Sun Shines in 2024 Australasian Oaks Results

Vibrant Sun just held on in a brave effort showing true grit to salute in the...

Seonee Wins Queen Of The South...

Seonee Wins Queen Of The South Stakes 2024

Seonee rolled up and joined the leader Legacy 150m out from the line before...

Race Results

2024 SA Derby Winner Coco Sun Aims at Queensland Oaks

Guineas Winner Kintyre Unlikely for 2024 Queensland Derby

Victory Stakes Winner Antino Rockets into Stradbroke 2024 Favouritism

2024 Robert Sangster Stakes Results: Climbing Star Stuns in Local Upset

Vibrant Sun Shines in 2024 Australasian Oaks Results

Race Previews

2024 South Australian Derby Field & Betting Update: Coco Sun Set to Shine

Fawkner Park Heads Wagga Wagga Gold Cup 2024 Field & Odds

2024 Queensland Guineas Field & Betting Update on Derby Lead-Up

Uncommon James Heads 2024 Victory Stakes Field & Betting

Warrnambool Cup 2024 Field & Betting Update: Little Mix Favourite

Fields & Form

Guineas Winner Kintyre Unlikely for 2024 Queensland Derby

Victory Stakes Winner Antino Rockets into Stradbroke 2024 Favouritism

2024 South Australian Derby Field & Betting Update: Coco Sun Set to Shine

Fawkner Park Heads Wagga Wagga Gold Cup 2024 Field & Odds

2024 Queensland Guineas Field & Betting Update on Derby Lead-Up