Chris Waller’s decision to bypass the Queen Elizabeth Stakes with Fangirl in favour of the Queen Of The Turf Stakes proved to be a masterstroke, with the mare adding another Group 1 victory to her resume at Randwick on Saturday.
Earlier in the afternoon, Waller took out the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) with the in-form Via Sistina, who collected her seventh Group 1 win this season. Just 40 minutes later, Fangirl confirmed favouritism in the Queen Of The Turf (1600m), producing a strong finishing burst under James McDonald to notch her fourth Group 1 title.
Fangirl opened her campaign by toppling Via Sistina in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes and followed that up with runner-up efforts in both the Verry Elleegant Stakes and George Ryder Stakes.
Her win on Saturday came at the expense of last week’s Doncaster Mile winner Stefi Magnetica, and marked her first elite-level win since the King Charles III Stakes during the 2023 spring.
“Each preparation she just stands up and she’s counted,” Waller said.
“We took a step back today from the Queen Elizabeth but she’ll get her time in another 2000-metre race, I promise her that.
“Obviously today means so much. You’ve got to have horses winning, and the big races especially. We would have liked to have had a crack at the Queen Elizabeth but Via Sistina was flying and I didn’t want to break her heart.”
McDonald, who was also successful earlier in the day aboard Via Sistina, was full of admiration for Fangirl’s effort against the mares.
“She’s a great mare. I love her to bits,” McDonald said.
Settling at the rear of the field, McDonald stayed near the rail coming into the straight, where both Fangirl and stablemate Atishu surged underneath rivals. Fangirl edged away late as Stefi Magnetica loomed from out wide.
Fangirl ($1.60) beat Stefi Magnetica ($6.50) by three-quarters of a length, with Atishu ($9.50) just a nose back in third in her final appearance before heading to the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in May.
“She was brave too,” Waller said of Atishu.
“It’s her last run today, Atishu, and she’s been an amazing horse.
“In the last three years she’s won this race, got beaten a nose last year and been beaten by Fangirl and the Doncaster winner this year.”
