News

Group 2 Double in Sydney

26th Feb 2011

Graduates of the famous Inglis Newmarket sale ring came to the fore at Rosehill today, with Ilovethiscity and Satin Shoes completing the big Group 2 double.

ILOVETHISCITY ($40,000 2009 Classic, 3c Magic Albert-Kensington Rose) has always been held in the highest regard by his trainer Grahame Begg and he produced his very best to win today’s Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m).

The Fairview Park Stud graduate was a Group 3 winner at Newcastle last spring and was also rated the unlucky runner when third in the Group 1 Golden Rose.

He will get his chance to atone when he runs in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas at Warwick Farm.

In winning, Ilovethiscity completed the early Sydney feature 3yo Group 2 double for his sire Magic Albert, whose son Master Harry won the Royal Sovereign Stakes a fortnight ago.

SATIN SHOES ($700,000 2010 Easter, 2f Flying Spur-Star Satire) franked her status as Sydney’s leading Golden Slipper contender when leading home an Inglis quinella in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes.

The Clarry Conners trained filly started an easing favourite, but raced like a true professional and shrugged off the challenge of the heavily backed Straight Gold before holding ELITE FALLS ($300,000 2010 Easter, 2f More Than Ready-Niagara Falls) in the run to the line.

Conners is chasing a fifth win in the Golden Slipper with this filly, who is a product of Cressfield Stud.

In Melbourne, PINKER PINKER ($120,000 2009 Premier, 3f Reset-Miss Marion) lived up to an excellent first up effort when finishing powerfully to win the Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes.

The Milford Thoroughbreds graduate was competitive in the top fillies races during the spring but trainer Greg Eurell has got her to go to a new level this time in, following a strong first up third in stakes grade to Easter graduate and Friday night’s Moonee Valley Listed winner Miss Gai Flyer ($250,000 2009 Easter, 3f Flying Spur-Power Of One).

VESPER ($300,000 2008 Easter, 4g Zabeel-Sylvaner) opened his stakes winning account when proving a shade too nippy in the Victoria Gold Cup.

Today’s stakes raid also extended to Brisbane, where ESSINGTON ($150,000 2008 Easter, 4g Redoute’s Choice-Besame Mucho) won his first open company attempt in the Listed Falvelon Quality.