News

Exhilarating Finishes On Flemington’s Final Day

7th Nov 2015

Inglis graduates made their mark on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington, with thrilling quinellas in both the Group 1 VRC Darley Classic and the Group 3 VRC Maribyrnong Plate.

Inglis Easter graduates Delectation (Shamardal x Grace and Power) and Chautauqua (Encosta de Lago x Lovely Jubly) fought out the finish of the Group 1 VRC Darley Classic over 1200m, with the former finishing just ahead of the favourite winning his first Group 1 title.

Both horses settled early to the rear of the field, where Delectation remained until the last 100m where he was able to weave to the front of the field and win by a head over Chautauqua.

After finishing runner-up to Chautauqua in the Group 2 VRC Gilgai Stakes last month, Delectation was able to dig deep for trainer Chris Waller, who was optimistic about the gelding’s future both domestically and overseas.

“I’m thrilled the horse backed up and managed to overcome all those world class sprinters. I want to get back to Ascot, we had an amazing trip there (with Brazen Beau),” said Waller.

“That’s the beauty of horses. It can take you a long way, whether it be England, Hong Kong or wherever, but it’s good to win at home just as much as anywhere,” Waller added.

It was the first Group 1 win of the Melbourne Cup Carnival for jockey James McDonald, who said “It’s great to ride a very good straight horse like this, and of course get a massive Group 1 like today.”

Bred by Mr GJ Perry, Delectation was a $250,000 purchase for his owner Mr C C Lai from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2013 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. Along with etching his name alongside fellow Inglis graduates Black Caviar, Choisir and Fastnet Rock on the Darley Classic honour roll, the son of Shamardal took his earnings past $1.4 million with today’s win.

Earlier in the day, two-year-old gelding Power Trip (Hard Spun x Rada) fought hard to edge out fellow Inglis graduate Flying Artie (Artie Schiller x Flying Ruby) to win the Group 3 VRC Maribyrnong Plate over 1000m on debut.

The field split immediately after the jump where Craig Williams guided Power Trip to the outside, taking the lead by the 500m and fighting off a strong challenge from Flying Artie which was the leader of the inside pack.

After recently receiving substantial offers for his $42,000 Inglis Premier purchase, trainer John McArdle was delighted the gelding put his best foot forward today.

“We have had a few offers for him and they got up to $400,000 on Monday and the owners said they wanted to race him on Saturday and I think they are vindicated now,” McArdle said.

“The owners Barry and Helen Mcilwaine have put a lot into racing and they have some nice horses coming through but this is their first stakes winner so I would be surprised if he isn’t staying with me,” said McArdle.

“He will go to the paddock now for a couple of weeks and then we will see if he is up to races like the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper in the autumn,” McArdle added.

Power Trip joins the ranks of Vain, Biscay and Canny Lad, and more recently Happy Giggle and fellow Inglis graduate Exceedingly Good to kick off their careers with a Maribyrnong Plate victory.

Bred by Mr Keith R Landale, Power Trip was consigned through the draft of Fulmen Park, and knocked down to McArdle’s Redgum Racing at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in March this year.

He is now raced by a large group of owners made up of Mr Barry G Mcilwaine, Mr G H Mcilwaine, Mrs Helen D Mcilwaine, Mr R Wiggerink, Mr B Power, Mr G T Power, Mrs C A Power, Mrs C L Power, Mr M J Power, Mr B H Casey, Mrs S Casey, Mrs S L Layton, Mr S M Layton and Mr D O Tankard.