Resuming from a break, Alabama Express mare Gentle Steel gave nothing else a chance in the run to the line as the Julius Sandhu trained 5yo secured her first black-type victory, winning the $200,000 Listed MRC Alinghi Stakes (1100m).
Although she was unbeaten at the track, the Beau Mertens ridden mare was sent out at double figure odds in the nine-horse field, going forward to lead from the inside barrier while the odds on favourite Geegees Mistruth missed the start and settled three lengths off last.
Getting it her own way in front, Gentle Steel controlled the race, and once the home turn was reached, she had a little kick, and while she was racing off the rail a little, which presented a run for Dance To The Boom, the Alabama Express mare packed too much punch for her rivals to score by a neck.
Working home well into third after coming through the pack was Godolphin’s Photograph, just ahead of the Chirs Waller trained Eagle Express. Race favourite Geegees Mistruth had too much ground to make up in the run to the line, finishing in eighth.
The upsets continue at Caulfield as Gentle Steel wins the Alinghi Stakes! Odds-on favourite Geegees Mistruth blew the start and was never in the hunt ?? @beau_mertens @sandhuracing https://t.co/vPQbPUTgLJ
— 7HorseRacing ?? (@7horseracing) October 17, 2026
“Huge result for connections, big shoutout to Maluka, Luke and Meg, they got this filly into the stable,” enthused Sandhu. “We've always had a big opinion of her and she went out to come back bigger, stronger and we set her up for a race like this and we drew a good barrier and I said to Beau, there are a few things in her favour, jump out and give her a chance to lead and he did just like that.”
“She kicked on top of the bend, happy days.”
“She jumped and we knew she's got gate speed but unfortunately when you're a favourite and you miss the kick but for her I just wanted to get in front and relax and she did that and then when Beau clicked her up on top of the bend it looked like it was going to be hard to get run down and she's kicked on well.”
“It's a huge result, not just for the stable but the connections, the staff, the horse more importantly because it sets her up now it ticks one box so we go back home and just make sure she recovers well and there’s probably another race for her in spring and it kind of sets her up for the future which is huge for the owners and for Maluka thoroughbreds.”
“It's a confidence booster for everyone in the stable. We know this game is hard, you go around in circles, the good, the bad and the ugly.
“And when the good times come along, it's important to sit down and take a deep breath and celebrate with the people who do all the hard work when we get there. I'm lucky. I've got a good team around me and you're only as good as your people.”
Riding her for the first time, jockey Beau Mertens was really pleased to get the job done for connections.
“She’s a very quick horse, good job to Julius and his team to prep her up to win a race like this first up, she’s obviously been a very consistent horse and for her to take the next level was a very good effort.
“She trialled quite sharply leading at Cranbourne on Monday and we had the same plan to do the same thing, especially with the track playing early, she’s very tough, she’s got a good will to win, to hold off her competitors in a race like this was a job well done.
“She’s got a lot of ability, you let fast horses be fast, it’s great to team up with Julius and his team, I’ve had a long relationship with him and to win at group level with him is fantastic.”
Taking her record to six wins from 12 races, with earnings of $337,550, the Maluka Thoroughbreds-bred Gentle Steel is the third winner from five to the races out of the Street Cry mare Calmante.
Calmante has a 3yo full sister to Gentle Steel, a yearling filly by General Beau and is due to foal this season to Southport Tycoon.
Bred on the potent Alabama Express x Street Cry pedigree cross that has recorded 10 winners from 12 runners including the multiple G1 winner Treasurethe Moment, Gentle Steel’s dam is a half-sister to the dam of G1 winner Caballus, who contests today’s $20m G1 TAB Everest.
Gentle Steel became the eighth stakes winner for Yulong’s Alabama Express who is standing this season at a fee of $66,000 (inc. GST)
