Classy two-year-old Sagaronne has stamped her claims as a legitimate Group 1 J.J. Atkins (1600m) prospect at Doomben this afternoon; completing a perfectly-timed run to take out the card-opening Listed The Phoenix (1200m).

Sagaronne produced an impressive final straight sprint to win The Phoenix at Doomben this afternoon. Photo: Daniel Costello
Jumping from the gates well, jockey Blake Shinn settled Sagaroone in prime position on the heels of early leaders Bring A Secret, Real Good, Handfast and Aussie Jack who flew the barriers and set a noticeably quick tempo towards the turn.
Settling into a good rhythm and receiving an ideal run in transit two wide with cover, Shinn kept the daughter of Real Saga steady and allowed her to slowly wind-up rounding onto the final straight.
Appearing to have a little too great a task ahead of her as Bring A Secret and Handfast kicked clear, Sagaronne producing an exceptional turn of foot over the final 300m; joining the classy Godolphin favourite at the fore of the pack with less than 100m to run and poking a head clear to secure a maiden black type win.
Debuting for seventh in a Gold Coast minor over 1200m in early January, Sagaronne booked her place in the 2015 The Phoenix field with an impressive first-up win in the Gold Coast Tradies Day Maiden (1200m) on May 9th.
Second-placed Handfast is one of many talented two-year-olds unearthed by Godolphin this year, and added a second minor to his three start record in running second this afternoon.
Having led from the gates until the final 100m, Bring A Secret has now posted one win and two minors from five career starts, and looks likely to return to the paddock.
Blake Shinn delivered a typically brilliant ride on the Tony Edmonds-trained filly for success in The Phoenix and will be hoping to produce a similarly successful day to that of the Cups Day at Doomben three weeks ago, in which he won five of eight races including two Group 1 feature events.