Outsider Precious Gem has produced a career-best performance at Morphettville this afternoon to take out the featured Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) from Sheidel in a photo finish.
Precious Gem won a very exciting edition of the Robert Sangster Stakes. Photo by: Jenny Barnes
Precious Gem was allocated the ideal barrier 6 for her run in the Robert Sangster Stakes and used the barrier to her advantage when jumping well and taking a good position in running just off the pace of early leaders Vezalay and Sheidel.
Fortunate to be held away from commotion caused when jockey Luke Nolen fell from his mount Miss Promiscuity, jockey Jake Noonan bided his time aboard Precious Gem until the entire field had circled onto the final straight.
Allowing the mare ample time to spool up before asking for an extra effort, Noonan was a passenger as Precious Gem locked in a fierce late sprint battle with Sheidel; bobbing her head at the right time to post a maiden win at the highest level.
Precious Gem has been a strong and consistent performer through her entire racing career since first appearing on course for Gwenda Johnstone in 2012; posting a commendable seven wins and ten minors through thirty-four competitive starts.
Having ended her time under the care of Johnstone following an inconsistent 2015 Spring Carnival prep, Precious Gem has arguably been the stable star for Caulfield trainer Henry Dwyer Since her arrival in late November.
Immediately responding to the move with success in the Building Engineering Trophy (1400m) at Flemington on December 12th, the Econsul mare was returned to the paddock with a view towards late autumn targets after failing to fire in the Listed Lord Stakes (1700m) on Boxing Day.
Resuming this time for a close second behind Thermal Current in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) on April 2nd, Precious Gem carried winning form into the Robert Sangster Stakes after beating a talented field to the line in the Listed Anniversary Vase (1400m) on April 16th.
Sheidel’s chances of success were perhaps hindered when she was forced to cross behind the riderless Miss Promiscuity rounding onto the final straight, while consistent mare I Love It produced another typically gutsy performance to beat Group 1 winner Griante on the line for third.
2016 Robert Sangster Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | PRECIOUS GEM | Henry Dwyer | Jake Noonan | – | 6 | 56.5kg | $21 |
| 2 | 3 | SHEIDEL | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | Matthew Neilson | 0.1L | 1 | 56.5kg | $10 |
| 3 | 12 | I LOVE IT | John Salanitri | Stephen Baster | 1.4L | 5 | 56.5kg | $18 |
| 4 | 1 | GRIANTE | David Brideoake | Craig Williams | 1.4L | 3 | 56.5kg | $9.50 |
| 5 | 10 | TUSCAN SLING | Darren Weir | Brad Rawiller | 1.6L | 2 | 56.5kg | $14 |
| 6 | 15 | RUNWAY STAR | Phillip Stokes | Dom Tourneur | 2.4L | 11 | 56.5kg | $31 |
| 7 | 16 | PRIVATE SECRETARY | Gregory Hickman | Paul King | 3.4L | 14 | 56.5kg | $31 |
| 8 | 14 | VEZALAY | Leon & Troy Corstens | Chris Parnham | 3.8L | 20 | 56.5kg | $31 |
| 9 | 13 | MISS SETON SANDS | Tony McEvoy | Mark Zahra | 3.9L | 4 | 56.5kg | $31 |
| 10 | 20 | TEMPT ME NOT | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 4.2L | 16 | 55kg | $26 |
| 11 | 17 | BADAWIYA | Mick Price | Craig Newitt | 4.4L | 15 | 55kg | $11 |
| 12 | 6 | SULTRY FEELING | James Cummings | Kerrin McEvoy | 5.2L | 9 | 56.5kg | $26 |
| 13 | 19 | PETITS FILOUS | Ciaron Maher | Ms Michelle Payne | 5.3L | 8 | 55kg | $8 |
| 14 | 5 | WAWAIL | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | Damian Lane | 5.4L | 10 | 56.5kg | $21 |
| 15 | 18 | DON’T DOUBT MAMMA | Tony McEvoy | Dwayne Dunn | 5.5L | 13 | 55kg | $7.50 |
| 16 | 8 | TYCOON TARA | Symon Wilde | Steven Arnold | 5.5L | 7 | 56.5kg | $51 |
| 17 | 11 | SCARLET BILLOWS | Darren Weir | Dean Yendall | 6.5L | 12 | 56.5kg | $7F |
| 18 | 9 | SABATINI | Lee & Shannon Hope | William Pike | 7.6L | 17 | 56.5kg | $16 |
| 19 | 7 | PITTSBURGH FLYER | Lee & Shannon Hope | Shayne Cahill | 20.2L | 19 | 56.5kg | $71 |
| LR | 2 | MISS PROMISCUITY | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | Luke Nolen | – | 18 | 56.5kg | $13 |
