It doesn’t carry Black Type, but the $1million ATC Channel 7 Stakes (1600m) is a G1 race in everything but name and for the second year in a row it was won by the fabulous Fangirl, who continued her love affair with the Randwick mile.
A homebred for the Ingham family, foaled and raised at Coolmore, Fangirl is always hard to beat, but nowhere more so than at Randwick over 1600m on a good track.
Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by James McDonald, she got conditions to suit on Saturday, but the seven year-old daughter of Sebring had to pull out all the stops to beat her stablemate Lindermann by a nose in a thriller.
Another homebred for the Ingham family that was also foaled and raised at Coolmore, Lindermann was a last start winner of the Group II ATC Chelmsford Stakes where he beat Sir Delius (GB), who came out and won the Group I MRC Underwood Stakes today.
The Lonhro gelding is in A grade form and he gave his all for Nash Rawiller, but Fangirl on a mission is impossible to stop!
Fourth at her first run back from a spell in Melbourne when looking to avoid the heavy ground in Sydney, Fangirl was back to her best.
"We didn't panic after her last run," Chris Waller said.
"Her run was fine. She just got lost at Caulfield. She has come back well and she loves Randwick and loves the mile."
Fangirl will have her next start over her pet course and distance in the $5million Group I ATC King Charles III Stakes (1600m) on October 18, a race she won in 2023.
James McDonald was thrilled to get the win with Fangirl, who is a stable favourite.
"She's so good, I love her dearly. She's such a thrill to ride and every time she gives her heart out there. She's a line chaser," McDonald said.
Fangirl was foaled and raised at Coolmore for the Ingham family and was broken in and educated at their Jerry’s Plains headquarters. She has the overall record of 12 wins and 12 placings from 35 starts with prizemoney topping $10.6million.
She is the best of five winners from stakes-winning Encosta de Lago mare Little Surfer Girl, a daughter of triple Group I winner Special Harmony.
Little Surfer Girl has a three year-old filly by Wootton Bassett (GB) called Bella Wahine that is in training with Chris Waller, a two year-old colt and yearling filly by Home Affairs to follow.
