Lindermann demonstrated a return to his peak performance, while Fangirl might have had her final race following the rescheduled Group 2 $300,000 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick today.
A significant storm, featuring heavy rain and strong winds, passed over Randwick shortly after the preceding Concorde Stakes, leading to a 20-minute postponement of the Chelmsford Stakes.
However, the adverse weather had subsided by the time the weight-for-age mile event commenced, and Lindermann, guided by Nash Rawiller, set the pace throughout, mirroring his victory in the same race last year.
The key difference this time was Lindermann’s more dominant win, crossing the line nearly two lengths ahead.
Renowned trainer Chris Waller, celebrating his ninth Chelmsford Stakes triumph with Lindermann, lauded both horse and jockey.
“That was Lindermann at his best, Nash at his best,” Waller said.
“He came through that first-up run which had a frantic pace and bounced back today.
“He has his confidence back now.”
Lindermann, the $2.70 favourite, surged clear in the home straight and comfortably won by almost two lengths from the rapidly finishing Ceolwulf ($3.60), with Fangirl ($3.30) a further three-quarters of a length back in third.
Both Ceolwulf and Fangirl surpassed the $11 million prizemoney threshold with their placings in the Chelmsford Stakes, yet the reactions from the connections of each horse were markedly different.
Trainer Joe Pride and jockey Chad Schofield expressed their delight with Ceolwulf’s strong finishing second, positioning the horse favourably for a potential third consecutive win in the Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 17.
“He was huge,” Schofield remarked about Ceolwulf. “We knew the race lacked pressure and we knew Lindermann would get the lead he got.
“We just didn’t want to go reinventing the wheel with him second up by putting him up on speed. I took him back from a bad draw and he ripped home late. I’m very happy.”
Fangirl secured the King Charles III Stakes in 2023, but Waller acknowledged the mare is not performing at her peak.
“Fangirl was brave again but I would say that will be her last run,” Waller stated. “I will have a talk with the Ingham family on Monday.
“She was gallant but nowhere near her best. She would have got them a year ago, even a few months ago.
“She has been an awesome horse for Sydney to follow but I would say she has run her last race. She has been so good for so long.”
Lindermann has also been a consistent performer for the Waller stable, and at seven years old, this gelding is competing as well as ever.
“We were going hard enough early and you don’t have to be in a hurry to get over with this horse,” said Rawiller, who achieved his fifth Chelmsford Stakes victory.
“Once Lindermann got into that rhythm, he is tough to run down. He is a beauty.
“I trialled him and was so happy with him then his first-up he was too bad to be true but to Hugh Bowwan’s credit, he didn’t knock the horse around when he was beaten and that was why he was able to bounce back today.
“The last 12 months have been his best, he is going so well. There is some talk he might go to the Group 1 Underwood Stakes next – he would be hard to beat around Caulfield.”
Waller confessed he was uncertain about Lindermann’s next assignment, though he hesitated at the prospect of a clash with stablemate, the champion mare Autumn Glow, in the Group 2 $1 million 7 Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on September 19.
“I’m not sure where to go next with Lindermann, we will have a look at things,” Waller commented.
“Then the 7 Stakes is going to be tricky in two weeks time but we will weigh everything up and see what is best for him.”
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