News

Aristia leads in Inglis graduates trifecta in G1 Oaks

8th Nov 2018

She was a maiden a week ago, now Aristia is a two-time winner including today’s Group 1 Kennedy Oaks at Flemington.

Five days after winning the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes, Aristia (Lonhro x Nakaaya) added the blue riband Oaks to her resume for her large and loud group of owners.

The Greg Perry-bred Aristia led in a trifecta of Inglis graduates in the Oaks, defeating Greysful Glamour (Stratum) and Miner’s Miss (Rebel Raider).

Her win came less than a week after Inglis graduates filled the first five placings in the Group 1 Victoria Derby at Flemington to kick-start Melbourne Cup week.

Aristia is an $80,000 Australian Easter Yearling Sale buy for First Light Racing, Paul Willetts and Ellerton Zahra Racing, where she was offered by Vinery Stud.

She is the second consecutive Inglis Easter graduate to win the Kennedy Oaks following Pinot’s success last year.

First Light Racing’s Tim Wilson said today’s Oaks victory “is what dreams are made of’’.

“There’s only 36 owners in this filly but there’s a million people here, it’s life-changing stuff,’’ an emotional Wilson said.

“We’re blessed, we’ve got a great team but all credit to [trainers] Matt [Ellerton] and Simon [Zahra], the filly’s had a faultless prep, when Damian Lane hit the front I was just so excited – and so scared!

“I remember seeing the filly at Easter, Paul Willetts, our bloodstock agent loved her, Matt and Simon loved her, I needed some convincing but I’m glad I was convinced. They were right, they’re always right.

“I can’t wait to get my Inglis Group 1 jacket now!’’

Aristia led an Inglis graduates’ domination of the Stakes races Australia-wide today.

Of the six Stakes races, Inglis grads won five – the other (Thermal Current) was not sold at public auction.

The 2YO filly VINICUNCA (I Am Invincible x Xandretta) started the day in fine fettle, scoring a tough debut win in the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington.

Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Vinicunca carried the famous Niarchos family colours to victory.

Vinicunca is a $600,000 Australian Easter Yearling Sale buy for Niarchos’ Flaxman Ireland, Coolmore’s Tom Magnier and BBA Ireland, from the Attunga Stud draft.

She also became the third I Am Invincible Stakes-winning 2YO this season alongside Catch Me (Gimcrack Stakes) and Espaaniyah (Inglis Banner), all of which are Inglis Easter graduates.

Meanwhile a pair of lightly-raced 3YOs – VOW AND DECLARE (Declaration of War) and BLEU ROCHE (Fastnet Rock) claimed their first Stakes wins today, both at Flemington.

Vow and Declare was the second emergency for Saturday’s Group 1 Victoria Derby but failed to gain a start, but instead won the Listed TCL TV Stakes.

He is a graduate of the Classic Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Kitchwin Hills.

And Bleu Roche scored her second career win at just her fourth start when successful in the Group 3 World Horse Racing Roses Stakes.

She is a $230,000 buy for her trainer Matt Laurie at the 2017 Classic Yearling Sale, where she was offered by Newgate Farm.

In the sole Stakes race at Hawkesbury today, consistent mare PECANS resumed with a strong win in the Listed Ladies Day Cup.

Since being sold to Tricolours Syndications for $50,000 at the 2017 August Thoroughbred Mixed Sale, the ex-Godolphin galloper has won five of her nine starts for new trainer Joe Pride, three of which have been at Stakes level.

ARISTIA (Lonhro x Nakaaya)

Group 1 win: Kennedy Oaks

Sale: 2017 Australian Easter Yearling Sale

Price: $80,000

Vendor: Vinery Stud

Buyer: First Light Racing/Paul Willetts/Ellerton Zahra

Breeder: Greg Perry

Trainers: Matt Ellerton and Simon Zahra

Owners: First Light Racing Pty Ltd, Greenwich Stud Pty Ltd, Falcons Racing, PG Harbinson, Mrs LM Cartwright, P Rimes, GA Edwards, Too Hot To Trot, J Williams, Ms JM Vallence, A Mohamed-Ali, G Hamilton, SDL Racing, Vionneto Racing, PJ Campbell & AP Grant.