In a performance that defied both his age and recent form, the eight-year-old gelding Acromantula produced a breathtaking front-running display to claim the Listed $125,000 Miss Andretti Stakes (1100m) at Ascot on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
A Commanding Front-Running Display
Sent out as a $14 chance with TABtouch, the quirky veteran, known for occasionally tricky barrier manners, exploded from the gates. He immediately shared the early lead with stablemate Sinful Living before jockey Lucy Fiore let him stride forward. Asserting his dominance after 200 metres, Acromantula opened up a commanding lead, stretching his advantage to nearly four lengths by the 600-metre mark.
Fiore made no attempt to slow the tempo, allowing the son of Written Tycoon to roll along at a breakneck speed. Although the chasing pack, led by Cut The Talk ($13), began to close on the home bend, the leader had built an unassailable buffer. Fiore finally asked her mount for an effort approaching the final furlong, and Acromantula responded gamely, holding off a late charge to win by a half-length.
Cut The Talk finished bravely for second, with the market favourites, Madhi Girl ($4) and Jaz Session ($3.30), filling the minor placings after struggling to make significant inroads into the leader's advantage.
Stable Delight at a Long-Awaited Return
With trainers Dan and Ben Pearce absent, stable forewoman Tayla Fitzgerald represented the team and expressed immense satisfaction with the win, which ended a victory drought dating back to October 2024.
"It was very pleasing," Fitzgerald said. "It's been a while since we've seen the old Acromantula, so happy to see him today. He was huge last start. I was just happy to see him jump today, which he hasn't done in previous starts."
She credited the straightforward tactics to the jockeys, noting the plan was simple: "We left it to the jockeys to decide today; whoever got the lead, got the lead." Fitzgerald also suggested the gelding is mellowing with age, adding affectionately, "I think he's getting quieter as he's getting older, and I love him to bits."
Jockey Confidence and Future Targets
Winning rider Lucy Fiore revealed she was filled with confidence as soon as the gates opened. "As soon as he jumped like that and put the pace on early, I was pretty confident," Fiore stated. She praised the horse's comfort during the high-speed run, despite onlookers questioning the fierce tempo.
"He was really comfy. When we pulled up, 'Donga' (Shaun O'Donnell) was giving me a spray because it was too fast, but he was really happy within himself," Fiore explained. "It's great he has that type of speed."
The victory, achieved in a slick time of 1:02.96—not far outside the track record—marked a first success in the race for both the training partnership and the jockey. It could now pave the way for a tilt at the Scenic Blast Stakes (1200m) in a fortnight, a race in which Acromantula was badly held up when fifth in 2023.
The win also completed a running double on the program for Fiore, who earlier guided the Adam Durrant-trained De Grandhomme ($8) to a narrow victory.
Acromantula's career highlights include two successful raids to the Eastern States, featuring a victory in the Listed Norman Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley in 2023. Saturday's triumph was notably just his first win from ten attempts at distances beyond 1000 metres, signalling a potentially versatile and exciting chapter for the resurgent veteran.
