Stefi Magnetica ended a six-race losing streak since June with an upset victory in Saturday’s Group 1 Doncaster Mile at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia, beating a field of 19 that included Moira, who won the Eclipse Award winner as the champion turf female of 2024.
Moira had her first start in the Australia in the $2.51 Doncaster Mile, and first start since a win in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar last November. Moira finished 14th in the Doncaster Mile, beaten slightly less than five lengths, after racing in 12th early.
Jockey Zac Purton told Randwick publicity that Moira “needs time to settle” in Australia.
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“She got a little bit lost prior to straightening” for the stretch run, he said. “Lost her rhythm. She will be fine.”
Stefi Magnetica (who paid $35.60 in American pools) closed from eighth to win by a head over 11-1 Royal Patronage, who was third early. Encap (50-1) finished third by a half-length.
Linebacker, the 7-2 favorite in American pools, finished eighth. Anisette, the winner of three Grade 1 races in California in 2023 and 2024, finished last in her first start in Australia.
Stefi Magnetica, a 4-year-old Australian-bred filly by All Too Hard, was ridden by Jason Collette for trainer Bjorn Baker. A winner of 4 of 20 starts, Stefi Magnetica was eighth behind Royal Patronage in the Group 1 Cantala Stakes at a mile at Randwick on March 8, and fifth behind Gringotts in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes at 7 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney on March 22 in her two previous starts this year.
Stefi Magnetica won the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at seven furlongs against 17 rivals at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane last June in her first major stakes win.
There were four Group 1 races at Randwick on Saturday.
Briasa ($12.60) won the $1.88 million T.J. Smith Stakes at six furlongs with a wide rally to catch pacesetter 3-1 Overpass. Joliestar, the 8-5 favorite, finished ninth of 13.
Briasa, a 4-year-old gelding, won for the seventh time in his ninth start. The Smith Stakes was his first Group 1 win.
The New Zealand-bred filly Aeliana ($4.10) won her first Group 1 in the $1.25 million Australian Derby against males, closing from fourth of 18 to prevail by a convincing five lengths over 24-1 Firm Agreement.
Aeliana, a winner of 4 of 10 starts, started at 1 1/2 miles for the first time in the Australian Derby.
The Southern Hemisphere 2-year-old Vinrock remained unbeaten after three starts with a win in the $629,000 Inglis’ Sires Stakes at seven furlongs. Vinrock ($7.40) finished about a neck in front of 24-1 State Visit in a field of 10. Wodeton, the 8-5 favorite, finished fourth.
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