Star mare Asfoora claims Group 3 Irwin Stakes at Morphettville in happy homecoming

Royal Ascot winner Asfoora made a triumphant return to Australian racing in the Group 3 Irwin Stakes at Morphettville.

Asfoora, ridden by Mitch Aitken, wins the Group 3 Irwin Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

Royal Ascot winner Asfoora made a triumphant return to Australian racing on Saturday, flaunting her class with a first-up victory in the Group 3 Irwin Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville.

The brilliant mare hadn’t raced on Australian shores since March last year, prior to a UK campaign that saw her triumph in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Asfoora was guided to the line by jockey Mitch Aitken, the pair box-seating, before challenging a gallant Sghirripa at the 300m, the mare reeled in the grey to score by a long neck.

Following 7½ months between runs, the win provided trainer Henry Dwyer with confidence that his mare is ready to tackle 1200m in the Group 1 $1m Robert Sangster Stakes on April 26.

“You’re always a little bit nervous when you haven’t seen them for six months, we thought she looked terrific and was going well, but they’ve just got to be a bit rusty you think,” Dwyer said.

“When they’ve had so much travel, and so much go on in their life, you wonder whether they’ll come back.

“The signs are good now, she’s got a big challenge trying to get 1200m next time but she’s certainly got a bit of improvement in her too so fingers crossed she can do it.”

"Welcome back to Australia!"

Asfoora wins on her return to Australia with a tough win in the R N Irwin Stakes 🔥@[e-mail]/N3W5ewYCFf

— Racing.com (@Racing) April 12, 2025

• Treasurethe Moment snatches ‘incredible' Oaks victory from defeat

Saturday’s win was a return to where it all began for Asfoora, the mare was sold for a miserly $30,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions Yearling Sale in Adelaide.

“It just goes to show that’s what makes the game great, not all the million dollar ones are good, and the ones that nobody wants can be good,” he said.

Tasmanian Oaks-winning filly Cinch proved too strong for her rivals in the Group 3 Auraria Stakes (1800m).

The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained filly sat on-pace, on the shoulder of race leader Marina Di Campo, taking control on the turn and kicking clear at the 200m for an impressive win under Celine Gaudray.

The filly is currently a $4 favourite in Sportsbet’s futures market for the $1 million Australasian Oaks on April 26.

Cinch finds the front early & clings on to take out the G3 Auraria Stakes for her third win in a row 💪@LindsayParkRacepic.twitter.com/eOCfaJNncW

— Racing.com (@Racing) April 12, 2025

• Via Sistina joins Winx with crowning glory in Queen Elizabeth

The upset of the day came in the final race, when Snoopy Now charged home at $26 (Sportsbet) to snatch the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) from hot favourite Athanatos.

It was Hewitt’s first stakes winner since 2008, when Merlot Now saluted in the Classic Mile at Morphettville.

The win was also a landmark result for English hoop Connor Murtagh, who has continued to make a huge impression in the state since relocating to South Australia earlier this year.

Gun jockeys Todd Pannell and Daniel Stackhouse also had a day out, securing a double each on the card, Stackhouse scored riding honours however, both of his victories came at stakes-level in the Without Fear Stakes (Petit Artiste) and Redelva Stakes (Reserve Bank).