News

Escado dashes away with Group 1 South Australian Derby

4th May 2013

Talented three-year-old Escado delivered trainer Matt Laurie his maiden Group 1 victory on Saturday when dashing away with the SAJC South Australian Derby over 2500m at Morphettville.

Escado (P$55,000 2011 Premier, 3g Casino Prince-Secret Cause) has always been held in high regard by Laurie who sent the young stayer around behind fellow Inglis graduate Fiveandahalfstar in the Victoria Derby in the Spring.

The tough grounding has paid dividends this preparation with the gelding taking out today’s $500,000 feature by nearly two lengths. In an Inglis trifecta Hioctdane ($46,000 Classic) came from last to finish second with favourite Shoreham ($45,000 Premier) a short-head away in third place.

“I didn't think the horse was going as well as he was into the Melbourne derby, but I put the blinkers on today to get him to show some sharpness,” said an ecstatic Matt Laurie.

“It's our third Group One runner and it's fantastic to get the result. No words can describe it.”

Bred by Kineld Thoroughbred Racing and offered from the draft of Bombora Downs at the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Escado (pictured as yearling) is raced by Miss R A Allen, Mrs J C Monk, E M Whitehead, Mrs L J Laurie, J G Ferguson, C W J Ferguson, Mrs G P Whitehead, L J Knowles, N R Parker & Mrs V C Lynch.

Saturday’s victory took Escado’s earnings past $430,000, thanks to three wins and five placings from 14 career starts.

Escado gave Inglis yearling sale graduates back-to-back victories in the Group 1 SA Derby following the win of the Leon Corstens trained Zabeelionaire in last year’s race.

This year’s victor is also the second Group 1 winning three-year-old by Casino Prince this season alongside Easter superstar All Too Hard.

Stakes winning debut for exciting juvenile

Saturday got off to a tremendous start for Inglis graduates in Adelaide with Eagle Island landing the Listed SAJC Oaklands Plate over 1600m on debut for trainer David Hayes.

Eagle Island ($300,000 2012 Easter, 2c Fastnet Rock-Banc De Fortune) powered home down the Morphettville straight to gain a valuable black-type two-year-old victory for the well related youngster.

Bred by Yarraman Park Stud Pty Ltd and Breeding Capital Australia, Eagle Island was sold from Yarraman Park Stud’s draft at the 2012 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale to James Bester Bloodstock / Demi O'Byrne Bloodstock for $300,000.

The exciting young colt is raced by Coolmore Syndicate (Mgr: Mrs S Magnier), Go Bloodstock Syndicate (Mgr: R J Hackett), Emmaroo Bloodstock Syndicate (Mgr: Mrs C J Murray), R McClure, Mrs B M McClure & Selworthy Enterprises Syndicate (Mgr: P Barnett)

With Oaks winners Danendri and Faint Perfume in his female family, Eagle Island is certainly bred to improve on his 1600m debut win into his classic year.

There are just two more yearling sales left in 2013 Inglis Select Yearling Sales Series, Scone Select Yearling Sale on 19 May and the Sydney Classic Yearling Sale Winter Book on 23 June.

The Scone catalogue is already available online at www.inglis.com.au, with the Classic Winter Book due out in the coming weeks.