News

Booker wins Oakleigh Plate, earns huge Premier pedigree update for Mill Park Stud

23rd Feb 2019

Melbourne Premier star Booker became the sixth individual Inglis graduate to win a Group 1 race in 2019 when successful in today’s Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.

The 4YO mare secured her maiden Group 1, having won two other Stakes races previously, defying a wide barrier and little luck in running to win first-up from a spell.

Booker joins In Her Time (Lightning Handicap), Manuel (Orr Stakes), Beat The Block (Centenary Sprint Cup), Enzo’s lad (Telegraph Hcp) and Atyaab (Cape Derby) as Inglis graduates to win at the top level this year.

She also becomes the second consecutive Inglis graduate to win the Oakleigh Plate following Russian Revolution’s success in 2018.

Booker, trained by Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra, was a $230,000 buy for Barry Griffiths from the 2016 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, where she was offered by Mill Park Stud.

“It’s a fantastic result for the farm and a fantastic result for loyal clients of ours in Liz and Tony Freebairn and Bill Rigg,’’ Mill Park’s Chris Watson said.

“Booker was always an absolute powerhouse of a filly from day one. She was always going to be an early-running type, which she turned out to be, and to win a Group 1 so early in her career is amazing.’’

In a further boost to this year’s Premier Sale, Booker’s Starspangledbanner half brother (ex Noondie) is lot 348 at the sale, which runs for four days starting tomorrow week (March 3-6).

He is being offered by Mill Park Stud.

“He’s a big, strong, powerful, well put together progressive-looking colt who I suspect will be even more popular with buyers now, given Booker’s great win,’’ Watson added.

Inspections for the 2019 Premier Sale begin at Oaklands Junction this coming Monday.

To view the Premier parade schedule, CLICK HERE.

To view the Premier catalogue, CLICK HERE.

Meanwhile mighty colt The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice) returned an impressive winner in today’s Group 2 Hobartville Stake at Rosehill.

It was the sixth win from just seven starts for the star 3YO of his generation, and he has a big autumn carnival ahead.

The Autumn Sun was a $700,000 Inglis Easter find for Hermitage Thoroughbreds, Guy Mulcaster and Chris Waller Racing, offered by Arrowfield Stud.

His Not A Single Doubt half brother (ex Azmiyna) is lot 369 at this year’s Easter Yearling Sale – which will be held on April 9 and 10 - also offered by Arrowfield.

To view the Easter catalogue, CLICK HERE.

In a further significant pedigree update for the Easter Sale, the sister of today’s Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes winner Time To Reign (Time For War x Courgette) is lot 412 at the sale.

She will be offered on Day 2 of the auction (Wednesday April 10) by Yarraman Park Stud.

Embrace Me (Shamexpress) stunned onlookers at Moonee Valley last night when coming from last to win the Group 3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes.

It was the first Stakes success for the Danny O’Brien-trained 3YO filly, who has now won four of her nine career starts.

Embrace Me was a $90,000 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale buy for Blue Sky Bloodstock, from the Henley Park draft.