The mare from Stud RDI avenged her second-place finish in 2024 by winning the G2 Juan Shaw Stakes, improving when the pace demanded it, and showing superior class at the top against the charge of Ceniza Pampa; Vision Triomphe finished third after stumbling.
By Diego H. Mitagstein
It was just after the Gran Premio Copa de Plata (G1) in December when Alberto Figueiredo, manager of Stud RDI, approached this writer and confidently remarked: “She ran brilliantly, coming from off the pace—definitely the way she needs to run.”
Figueiredo was referring to Neowise, who had just finished a close fourth behind Brienne Trigger (Cosmic Trigger), making up significant ground and showing flashes of untapped potential.
Fast forward a month and a half, and the daughter of Agnes Gold proved Figueiredo right with a gutsy performance to capture the G2 Juan Shaw (2200m, turf fast), the first major test of the year for fillies and mares over distance on the grass at the Jockey Club racetrack.
In 2023, the Stud RDI silks had celebrated a string of standout wins with the likes of champion Neverwalkalone (Agnes Gold), the brilliant No Fear (Agnes Gold), and Menino do Río (Fortify). However, in 2024, those high-profile victories were less frequent—a natural cycle in racing.
Now, the tide seems to be turning. Neowise finally snapped an extended streak of close calls, including a second-place finish in this same race a year ago, just days after Neverwalkalone herself had finished runner-up in the Likely Exchange Stakes (L) at Turfway Park in the United States.
Though the early pace set by Punta Turquesa (Fortify), with Elvitas (Cosmic Trigger) tracking in second, was far from blistering—clocking the first 400 meters in 26.13, the 800 in 49.75, and 1200 in 1:14.6—jockey Adrián Giannetti made the key decision not to rush the eventual winner.
Only around the far turn did Neowise begin to make her move, finding daylight as Vision Triomphe (Cima de Triomphe), the race favorite, remained bottled up on the inside, and Ceniza Pampa (Hat Ninja) started to unwind from the rear of the field.
Entering the stretch, Neowise overcame a slight stumble before charging down the center of the track. Meanwhile, Vision Triomphe struggled to find a clear path between the rail and Punta Turquesa, and Ceniza Pampa launched a wide bid under Kevin Banegas.
Giannetti’s second decisive move came mid-stretch when he angled Neowise inward, forcing Francisco Leandro aboard Vision Triomphe to check and effectively ending her chances. From there, Neowise dug in gamely, repelling a strong challenge from Ceniza Pampa, who momentarily threatened to sweep past.
At the wire, Neowise, a granddaughter of Crimson Tide, held on by a head over Ceniza Pampa, with Vision Triomphe another 1 1/2 lengths back in third, unable to fully extend under Leandro. Punta Turquesa stayed on for fourth, two lengths behind, with Elvitas in fifth. The race was completed in 2:14.10. Luz Delito (Lizard Island) was a disappointing seventh, finishing 5 1/4 lengths adrift.
Now a four-time winner, all on San Isidro’s turf course where she has made all 13 of her career starts, Neowise shed her reputation as a perennial bridesmaid to claim a well-deserved graded stakes triumph.
Mature and complete, the dark bay filly validated Figueiredo’s faith with a decisive victory, showcasing the powerful finishing kick that has become a hallmark of Agnes Gold’s best progeny.
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