The remarkable Overshare mare Lady Laguna turned giant killer at Randwick on Saturday, when leaving the Everest hero Think About It and Coolmore Classic heroine Espiona without an excuse in the $750,000 Group 1 James Squire Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
Ridden by Tyler Schiller for Annabel Neasham, Lady Laguna powered to the line to defeat Think About It (So You Think) by one and a quarter lengths with Espiona (Extreme Choice) a nose back in third.
With her first Group 1 win in the bag, Lady Laguna advances her record to seven wins and 11 placings from 24 starts with earnings of $1,942,100.
“No horse deserves it more than her. She’s an iron-woman,” Annabel Neasham said.
“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 One winner. And to win for OTI and the team is just so special.”
“Does someone want to give us a slot (in the Everest) for next year? They’re a great bunch of owners. Wow. Amazing.
“She’s just very straightforward. She’s always a happy, sound horse. I didn’t gallop her on Tuesday because in the back of my mind I had the Coolmore Classic next week, so I thought we’ll 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.
“We’ll see how she pulls up. Possibly. I’ll talk to the team. but we’ll enjoy that one for now.”
Bred by Spendthrift Australia, Lady Laguna is the best of two winners from three to race for the Encosta De Lago mare Catalina de Lago, a half-sister to Group II winner She Will Be Loved and to the dam of Group III winner Luke’s Luck.
Catalina de Lago went through the 2022 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. Consigned by Newgate she was sold to Kingstar Farm for $180,000 in foal to Overshare, but subsequently slipped. She was covered last spring by State of Rest (IRE).
Lady Laguna is the first group 1 winner for Widden Stud’s I Am Invincible stallion Overshare.
