Racing’s highs and lows were clearly evident after Lady Laguna’s upset Group 1 win over The Everest hero Think About It at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Trainer Annabel Neasham and jockey Tyler Schiller exultantly embraced each other after combining with Lady Laguna to win the Group 1 $750,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
But rival trainer Joe Pride was left reeling from a “left-right combination” after his stable stars Think About It and Private Eye were beaten as favourites in successive races.
Lady Laguna ($11) finished strongly to beat Think About It by 1¼ lengths with Espiona ($2.45) a nose away third.
Neasham was surprised Lady Laguna had barely rated a mention in the lead-up to the Canterbury Stakes.
“We knew she was very fit and had never been in better form,” Neasham said.
“No horse deserves it more than her, she’s an iron-woman. She’s so tough.
“We were a little bit further back than I wanted to be but it was a beautiful ride by Tyler and I’m just so over the moon that she’s a Group 1 winner – and to win for OTI and the team is just so special.”
When Neasham was reminded Lady Laguna had run down The Everest winner, the trainer was straight onto the front foot: “Does someone want to give us a slot for next year!”
Schiller rode his second Group 1 winner of his career on Lady Laguna after winning The Galaxy on Mariamia last year.
“It feels as good as the first time,” Schiller said.
“I actually thought she was going to get rounded up late but she just kept kicking and she was strong for the 1300m. She’s not a renowned 1300-metre horse but she was too good for them there.”
Schiller was conscious that Think About It was first-up at 1300m and he was banking on his mare’s superior race fitness kicking in under pressure.
“I always thought Think About It might have been a little bit touchy at the 1300(m), just with his ‘prep’ going forward,” Schiller said.
“He’s looking to get out in trip so I was just hoping he would be a little bit dour. When I cruised up past him at the 100m I thought it was going to be a little ding-dong battle but she put them away very well.”
"Lady Laguna causes an upset in the Canterbury Stakes."
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) March 9, 2024
A second Group 1 for @G1TySchil as the @OTIRacing four-year-old mare gets the better of the two favourites Think About It and Espiona in the 1300m feature at Randwick. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/3w0JkS9UA8
Neasham said she will consider backing up with Lady Laguna in the Group 1 $1m Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens next Saturday.
“She’s always a happy, sound horse,” Neasham said.
“I didn’t gallop her on Tuesday because in the back of my mind I had the Coolmore Classic for next week as well.
“So, I thought we’ll just keep her fresh because she’s been up a long time and that’s the beauty with her, you don’t have to do a whole lot with her. She’s an absolute star.”
The above is an excerpt from a Herald Sun article which can be read in full here.
