Talented mare Miracles Of Life got her nose in front at the right time to score a narrow victory over Gregers in the 2015 Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville this afternoon.
Miracles Of Life wins the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville. Photo by Jenny Barnes
Miracles Of Life returned to her hometown of Adelaide for the first time since she failed to fire in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) in May last year and she jumped from the gates well in the Robert Sangster Stakes before jockey Hugh Bowman let some of his rivals cross the mare to settle her in sixth position.
Gregers was given a lovely run on the speed in the early stages of the Robert Sangster Stakes and she looked like the winner at the 150 metre mark after she kicked clear when asked for an extra effort, but Miracles Of Life ate up the ground in the final 50 metres and bobbed at the right time to score her second win at Group 1 level.
Co-trainer Paul Snowden has had nothing but good things to say about Miracles Of Life since he joined his stable just under a year ago and he said that he was delighted the Not A Single Doubt mare was able to return to her hometown and take out the Robert Sangster Stakes as a four-year-old.
“It is a testament to herself,” Snowden said.
“You saw what she did as a two-year-old and now she is doing it again at four.
“She is a really special horse.
“Full credit to the owners because they just said do what you want – if she is up to it and she wants to be there it is all good and well, but if she is not we will pull the pin and she goes to stud and here we are today.
“We will get her home, have a look at her and see what we do from here, but the main thing for her is to keep her fresh and that is how she races the best.”
Bowman has ridden Miracles Of Life in all three of her race starts this preparation and the leading hoop said after the race that it is a great honor to be involved with such a talented and brave filly.
Miracles Of Life was caught wide throughout the Robert Sangster Stakes, but Bowman said that the four-year-old raced well with cover and had the acceleration to finish over the top of her rivals.
“She is already a Group 1 winner, everybody knows what her record is like and she is just so consistent,” Bowman said.
“She is an absolute pleasure to deal with and to come here and get a Group 1 as an older mare, I know it means a lot to the Snowden stable, it means a lot to me and it means a lot to her owners in America.
“I had a nice piece of cover from Sabatini and that horse was able to get me where I needed to go and then when I peeled off her back I had the engine to get the job done.
“Full credit to her.”
Gregers produced an outstanding performance and was very unlucky not to record a maiden win at Group 1 level, while I Love It produced the best performance of her racing career to date to finish third in the Robert Sangster Stakes.
