News

2YOs shine as autumn features loom

8th Feb 2025

The Golden Slipper and Blue Diamond became a step closer to reality for Inglis-sold 2YOs following a dominant day in Sydney and Melbourne today.

At Randwick Bellazaine (Zousain) made the most of missing a start in the $2m Inglis Millennium by winning the Listed Lonhro Plate instead.

Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Bellazaine was first emergency for today’s Millennium but missed out on gaining a start when there were no scratchings from the final field.

But it mattered little as the filly took a giant step to qualifying for the G1 Golden Slipper with her Lonhro Plate victory.

“The important black type win and her residual value and prizemoney collected to help get into the Golden Slipper is certainly a good consolation for her owners who missed out on a start in the Millennium,’’ co-trainer Bott said.

“The women’s syndicate were obviously hopeful of getting into the Millennium to chase the [$400,000] Inglis Pink Bonus but they’re very satisfied with this big win today.

“As for the Slipper she’s certainly up to it, she’s a lovely big, strong filly who’s had the advantage of a preparation…she’s always been one of our leading fillies. She’s come back stronger now, she’s a more seasoned filly and she’s certainly put her hand up to go to one of the fillies’ lead-up races to the Slipper next.’’

Waterhouse and Bott teamed up with Bruce Slade’s Kestrel Thoroughbreds to purchase Bellazaine (pictured) – who is bred by Matt Comerford, Geoff Evers and Ryan McEvoy - for $160,000 at the Classic Yearling Sale, where she was offered by Widden Stud.

She will now likely head to the G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes at Randwick on March 1.

A Supido half sister to Bellazaine (ex Benella) will be offered in the Widden Stud draft as lot 63 tomorrow at the Classic Yearling Sale, which begins at 10am.

To view the Classic catalogue CLICK HERE.

Meanwhile at Caulfield Field Of Play (Deep Field) remained unbeaten with a fighting victory in the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G).

It was the juvenile’s second win from as many starts and he will now likely head to the G1 Blue Diamond in a fortnight, despite not being in initial entries for the race.

“It’s a nice problem to have, knowing you have to pay the $55,000 Late Entry Fee to run around as near favourite in a $2m race but assuming he pulls up well, that’s where he’s headed,’’ Field Of Play’s co-trainer Natalie Young said.

“It’s fantastic to know we’re going to be back here in two weeks chasing a $2m Blue Diamond.

“I was looking at him in the parade ring today and I was thinking ‘it’s been six weeks between runs, he still looks like he’s a little bit pretty’’ but that’s just the way he is. To be six weeks between runs and deliver like that, it’s really exciting.’’

Verna Metcalfe teamed up with Jackson, Edward and Sandra Beirs to purchase Field Of Play’s dam Californiasurprise for $140,000 at the Australian Broodmare Sale, in foal to Deep Field, carrying Field Of Play.

They offered him in the Middlebrook Valley Lodge draft at the 2023 Australian Weanling Sale, where he was purchased by Nick and Nicky White of Kaha Nui Farm for $255,000.

“We loved the mating and the colt was just always so professional early on and sold incredibly well for $255,000 at the Inglis Weanling Sale,’’ a thrilled Metcalfe said.

“I want to say a huge congratulations to Nick and Nicky White who went on to pinhook this horse and made a nice profit along the way and a huge congratulations to Trent and Natalie Young, who have done an amazing job with him to this point and hopefully he can go on now and win the Blue Diamond in a fortnight.’’

Field Of Play firmed into a $6 second favourite with Ladbrokes for the Blue Diamond, which will be run at Caulfield on February 22.

Also at Caulfield Angel Capital (Harry Angel) showed he was in for a big autumn campaign with an effortless first-up victory in the G2 Autumn Stakes.

Trained by Clinton McDonald, Angel Capital is a $400,000 Premier Yearling Sale buy for Ross and Andy Lao’s Upper Bloodstock – with Gregory Ho – from the Mill Park Stud draft.

He is bred by David Peacock.

Angel Capital has now won four of his seven career starts for $600,000 in prizemoney.

He will likely now target the G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington on March 1.