The Freedman stable’s high-class three-year-old Point Barrow remains the firm elect for Saturday’s Group 1 feature in Adelaide, holding onto 2026 Robert Sangster Stakes favouritism despite being dealt a challenging carpark draw for her trip to Morphettville.
Point Barrow is favourite to beat home her older rivals despite a wide draw in the 2026 Robert Sangster Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The centrepiece of the Adelaide Autumn Racing Carnival‘s first Group 1 meeting, the $1 million Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m), has seen its field compressed to 15 runners following the scratchings of Aviatress and Soft Love.
Currently topping the boards at $4.80 with Ladbrokes is the Blue Point filly Point Barrow.
Boasting five wins from just eight starts, she is bidding to become the first three-year-old to capture the crown since Ruthless Dame in 2023.
She arrives fresh following a decisive one-length victory in the Group 3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes at Caulfield, and significantly drops from 58.5kg that day to a featherweight 54.5kg this weekend with Daniel Stackhouse retaining the ride.
While her outside gate has raised eyebrows, history suggests it may be a blessing in disguise: eight of the last nine Robert Sangster winners have started from barrier 11 or wider, including Secret Agenda’s win from gate 16.
The primary threat on the second line of betting is the defending champion Charm Stone ($6.50).
The Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr-trained mare is attempting to do what no horse has ever done: successfully defend a Robert Sangster Stakes title.
Charm Stone is back to defend her title looking to become history’s first back-to-back Robert Sangster winner!
The daughter of I Am Invincible showed she still possesses elite speed when finishing a close fourth behind recent The Quokka hero Jigsaw in the William Reid Stakes.
That form line is expected to stack up strongly in South Australian company.
In a competitive market, four other mares sit under double figures, including the Chris Waller-trained Generosity ($7).
Waller, seeking his first win in this event, has seen his mare draw perfectly in barrier one.
Following a win in the Challenge Stakes and a luckless fifth in The Galaxy, she appears ideally placed for the step up to 1200m with Mark Zahra taking over the reins.
Also in the mix is Skybird ($7.50), returning to the scene of her 2024 Tobin Bronze Stakes victory.
The Mitchell Freedman-trained mare produced a stunning return to form on April 4, finishing third at 40/1 in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes.
With John Allen aboard from gate 12, she remains a significant contender.
Rounding out the top chances are the Moody/Coleman-trained Bridal Waltz ($8.50) and the 2024 Goodwood heroine Benedetta ($9), who has drawn ideally in barrier four for Jamie Melham.
The 2026 Robert Sangster Stakes is scheduled as Morphettville Race 8 at 4:48 pm (ACST) / 5:18 pm (AEST).
2026 Robert Sangster Stakes Field & Barriers
| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Barrier | Weight | Age | Sex | Last Starts | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skybird | John Allen | Mitchell Freedman | 12 | 56.5kg | 5 | M | 69×53 | $1,581,875 |
| 2 | Charm Stone | Mark Zahra | Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | 14 | 56.5kg | 5 | M | x16x4 | $2,607,775 |
| 3 | Generosity | James McDonald | Chris Waller | 1 | 56.5kg | 5 | M | 37×15 | $1,246,415 |
| 4 | Benedetta | Jamie Melham | Ciaron Maher | 3 | 56.5kg | 6 | M | 8×368 | $2,354,415 |
| 5 | Super Smink | Craig Williams | Daniel Morton | 8 | 56.5kg | 5 | M | 105×1 | $1,622,435 |
| 6 | Bridal Waltz | Ben Melham | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | 9 | 56.5kg | 4 | M | 23×17 | $596,590 |
| 7 | Flying For Fun | Zac Lloyd | Bryce Heys | 10 | 56.5kg | 4 | M | 71×19 | $520,500 |
| 9 | Stretan Angel | Lachlan Neindorf | Phillip Stokes | 2 | 56.5kg | 5 | M | 190×3 | $1,308,620 |
| 10 | She’s Bulletproof | Jacob Opperman | Charlotte Littlefield | 13 | 56.5kg | 5 | M | 3×926 | $727,325 |
| 11 | Ameena | Todd Pannell | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 4 | 56.5kg | 4 | M | 5580x | $615,800 |
| 12 | Geegees Mistruth | Jordan Childs | Mark Walker | 5 | 56.5kg | 4 | M | x3072 | $702,075 |
| 13 | Ahha Ahha | Luke Nolen | Clinton McDonald | 6 | 56.5kg | 4 | M | 52221 | $371,575 |
| 14 | Bossy Benita | Billy Egan | Michael Mehegan | 11 | 56.5kg | 4 | M | x3146 | $366,500 |
| 16 | My Gladiola | Jamie Mott | John Mcardle | 7 | 54.5kg | 3 | F | 3×204 | $1,103,245 |
| 17 | Point Barrow | Daniel Stackhouse | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 15 | 54.5kg | 3 | F | 11×51 | $491,520 |
IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team.
