Pandemonium on Flight Stakes path after dominant win

Tom Baddock - Wednesday August 23

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have Group I aspirations for Pandemonium after the filly made it two wins on the trot in the TAB Benchmark 70 Handicap (1600m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Advertisement
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Photo: Steve Hart

The daughter of Sebring landed in front for Rachel King and travelled boldly in the lead.

The three-year-old gave no other horse a chance, scooting to a four-length lead into the straight before easing down for a comfortable 1-1/4 length win over Chris Waller's Augustus ($7), with a further 2-1/4 lengths back to Tim Martin's Pride of Darci ($4.60).

The win came as no surprise to punters, supporting Pandemonium into a clear $1.95 favourite by start time.

"It was great to see her step up a notch today, she's beat the boys again and I think there is nice improvement for her going forward," Adrian Bott said.

"We mentioned a couple of nice targets for her and I think we can work towards those now.

"I think we'll drop back to the fillies grade now and go through a race like the Tea Rose into the Flight Stakes."

Despite only breaking her maiden at Kembla last start, the stable thought enough of the filly to send her to Melbourne as a two-year-old to contest the Group II Blue Diamond Prelude and the Listed Talindert Stakes.

"We always have liked her," Bott said. "She's filled out now, matured a lot and strengthened into her frame.

"I think now she can get up over her ideal distance being the mile and we'll see better things to come from her.

"I think the win last start really switched her on."

Jockey Rachel King, who has had a long association with Pandemonium, believes she is a horse that can keep raising the bar.

"She keeps improving at every start and she was better again today," King said.

"She bowled along nicely up front, there was a little bit of pressure early but then she was able to settle and go in her own rhythm and she finished off really strongly.

"I think she can get even further, definitely."

Pandemonium will next step out on September 16 for the Group II Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) in lead-up to the Group I Flight Stakes (1600m) on September 30.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Vale, G1 winning horseman Tony Dennis
A member of one of New Zealand racing’s most famous and successful families has died, with the recent passing of Tony (Anthony) Dennis, aged 86.
Tara Talks Racing - We Chat with the Breeder of Raging Force
The Group III ATC San Domenico Stakes was won last Saturday by exciting Cosmic Force gelding Raging Force, so this week we’re chatting to his breeder Dr Richard McClenahan of Mullaglass Stud, who has a self-confessed ‘mare addiction’!
2025 NZB Ready to Run Catalogue Online - World’s Most Successful 2YO Sale
The catalogue for the 2025 edition of the leading sale of two-year-olds is now online and in mailboxes, with NZB excited to unveil another stellar offering at the Ready to Run Sale.
Five Lots Announced for Tattersalls Online Barrier Trials Pop-Up Sale
Tattersalls Online, Europe’s leading online thoroughbred sales platform, will break new ground when offering for auction five lots who took part in the ITM Irish EBF Barrier Trials at Leopardstown Racecourse earlier this week. The sale which takes place on 3rd – 4th September can be viewed on the Tattersalls Online website www.tattersallsonline.com.
First Foals for Lofty Strike
One of the most interesting young stallions that we saw on the recent Victorian stud tour was at Swettenham Stud and it has not taken long for the big baldy face of Lofty Strike to find it’s way on to one of his first foals.
Winning Debut for Blueblood Frankel Filly
We usually associate the Mark Walker stable with the tangerine colours of Te Akau racing, but it was John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds colours in the frame for the astute Kiwi trainer trainer at Benalla on Tuesday carried by blueblood Frankel filly Chateau Eze.
Sires With Winners - Monday September 1
Here is the full list of 22 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Ballarat
An Ole Kirk filly from a famous female family started a short priced favourite at Ballarat on Monday and duly got the cash.
Vale, Robert Priscott
Former Group One-winning trainer Robert Priscott has passed away.
Zoustar 7YO Chasing G1 for Cambridge Stud
South Africa will tackle the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday night and earlier in the day a horse named after one of their favourite sons will be vying for Group One glory down the road at Ellerslie Racecourse.