The Chris Waller-trained Fangirl was huge in the inaugural edition of the Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) beating home the world’s best miler by a margin.

2023 King Charles III Stakes winner Fangirl was huge extending her winning margin late over the beaten odds-on favourite Mr Brightside. Photo: Steve Hart.

Mr Brightside went into lucrative The Everest Day event as the odds-on favourite out to extend his winning streak having won his past five on the trot.

The dream run for the Hayes’ stable ace came to an end however with the master Waller having trained his five-year-old daughter of Sebring to perfection.

The bonny mare looked the goods pre-race and ran up to her lovely condition for her second win from three starts this prep.

Fangirl celebrated her third Group 1 victory when improving on her fifth to the since-retired Anamoe in the equivalent race, previously run in mid-September as the George Main Stakes, last year.

She won the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) first-up this prep before crossing two lengths back third to Think It Over in the King Charles III Stakes track and trip in the $1 million 7 Stakes on September 16.

Waller had her set for this assignment and she delivered on grand final day off a sensational ride by now 81-time Group 1 winning hoop James McDonald.

“She’s flying at home, I haven’t seen her go any better at home,” McDonald told Sky Thoroughbred Central.

“She’s quite funny, she’s hard to read at times because she can put in an odd gallop. Her form is great but (she) doesn’t really gallop that well.

“These two weeks have been unbelievable. She trialled with all those Everest horses and she probably could’ve almost got a slot after that trial that’s how good she was going.

“She’s a really good horse, under certain conditions she’s pretty hard to beat.”

“Her track work these last two weeks, her trial was phenomenal. I hadn’t feet her go as well.

“She can throw in the odd gallop where she’s a bit lacklustre in her work. She just wanted to be here, I’m so happy she’s reaping the rewards.”

After missing the kick slightly Fangirl was slow into stride, but J Mac used the barrier to keep in touch with the field stalking the pace with a mid-field run throughout.

Settled on-speed was Mr Brightside ($1.95) who was given every possible hope in the run.

He and Fangirl ($5.50) were the ones to watch late with the eventual winning winding up with her run 250m out.

She took the lead and was too strong once in front extending to beat Mr Brightside by a commanding 2.67 lengths.

“That’s the one I wanted to win. I wanted the king’s crown,” McDonald added.

The Annabel Neasham-trained My Oberon ($31) at any old price finished third in a brave run to round out the trifecta.

Waller confirmed the Group 1 $5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on October 28, a weight-for-age classic he famously won four years running with Winx (2015-18), as the planned next-up target for Fangirl.

“That was always the plan, to space her runs and get her to Melbourne as well,” he said.

“That will be tomorrow’s decision I guess, she was pretty dominant today.”

Mr Brightside will be there for the rematch on Cox Plate Day with a big chance to turn the tables over further according to his King Charles III Stakes jockey Craig Williams.

“He gave me a beautiful ride from the barrier, honest again,” he said post-race.

“At the top of the turn I wasn’t going well. Just shows you what type of horse he is.

“If he pulls up well obviously go to the Cox Plate.

“The way he went today he will be looking forward to the extra distance.”

Fangirl is currently paying $15 in all-in Cox Plate 2023 odds at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au to head south and take it out with full markets available by clicking here.

2023 King Charles III Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.