News

Absolutely Fabulous Oaks

16th Apr 2011

Mick Kent burst back into the Group 1 winning list with Absolutely in the AJC Oaks, while Bede Murray may have himself another Classic contender in the shape of impressive Fernhill winner Darci Be Good.

Absolutely and Darci Be Good completed a stakes double for Inglis graduates at a rain-sodden Randwick before Goon Serpent landed an important Group 2 success in Adelaide today.

ABSOLUTELY ($150,000 2009 Easter, 3f Redoute’s Choice-Catshaan) went into the Oaks as a maiden, but she brought in Group 1 form having run second to Lights Of Heaven in the Schweppes Oaks.

Kent and jockey Brad Rawiller formulated a plan to stick to the rails and taking the short cuts, Absolutely powered away to beat last week’s Derby winner Shamrocker.

PINKER PINKER ($120,000 2009 Premier, 3f Reset-Miss Marion) continued her consistent form this preparation to grab third.

It was Kent’s first Group 1 winner in Australia since returning five years ago after a stint in Singapore.

Absolutely was sold by Coolmore Stud and she becomes the latest Classic winner for Redoute’s Choice, whose progeny have also won Oaks in South Australia and Victoria, along with Derbys in New Zealand, Queensland and Dubai.

Kembla Grange trainer Bede Murray is thinking he may have another Derby horse on his hands after DARCI BE GOOD (P$50,000 2010 Easter, 2c Darci Brahma-You Can’t Say That) proved too strong in the Listed Fernhill Handicap.

In a brilliant training feat, Murray was able to produce the son of Darci Brahma over the mile with just the one 1000m preparatory run.

Darci Be Good was offered for sale by Rich Hill Stud, but when bidding fell short of the $60,000 reserve, Murray was able to secure a lease on the colt and he is now raced by a big contingent from the Illawarra Turf Club.

Murray said Darci Be Good was likely to be spelled immediately and set for the Classic staying races next season.

GOON SERPENT ($14,000 2008 Classic, 4m Reset-Capri Blue) caused an upset in the Group 2 Queen of the South Stakes at Morphettville.

The David Jolly trained mare was coming off a last start Listed placing and despite her inflated odds, now boasts an impressive 40% win strike rate.

Sold by Arrowfield, Goon Serpent joins the ever-growing list of bargain priced graduates of the Inglis Sydney Classic Sale.

The next opportunity to secure an Inglis yearling comes with the two day Melbourne Autumn Yearling Sale, which begins tomorrow from Oaklands and runs over two days.

Inglis Sale Day Live and Online Bidding are available for those unable to attend the sale.