Fangirl will chase a second-straight King Charles III Stakes win at Randwick this Saturday, but the 2024 edition is unlikely to look anything like last year’s.
The Chris Waller-trained mare dominated her rivals in the race’s first running in an October timeslot with a $5 million purse, cruising home by 2-3/4 lengths from Mr Brightside.
Fangirl does not have Mr Brightside to contend with this year, but meets his arch-rival Pride Of Jenni and Waller and jockey James Mcdonald are well aware of what they are in for.
“It’s a great challenge taking on Pride Of Jenni, we’re ready to go, we’re at our peak and obviously she is too off the back of a good win last start,” Waller said.
“It’ll be a different type of race to what we would normally have in Sydney, which is more sit and sprint, whereas Pride Of Jenni puts it on from the start.
“I think we’re all aware of how she races now and we’ve just got to adapt to it.”
Fangirl and McDonald will jump from barrier four in the 12-horse King Charles III Stakes in which Pride Of Jenni has drawn barrier 11.
The six-year-old daughter of Sebring heads into the King Charles III Stakes off a soft half-length win as a $1.75 favourite in the $1 million 7 Stakes (1600m) and a stretch of the legs in the star-studded 1000m trial at Randwick last Wednesday.
Fangirl ran third in last year’s 7 Stakes before her King Charles III Stakes win and Waller is convinced she’s going well enough to win again provided she gets her preferred conditions.
“Her run last start was good, it showed that she’s back where we needed to be and the only concern is the weather.
“She’s not as effective on a wet track but I’m very happy with her.”
The Randwick track was rated a Soft 6 on Wednesday morning and while sunny conditions are tipped for Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, there are predictions of up to 10mm of rain on Friday.