News

Group One aspiration’s for Mick Price pair

26th Jan 2012

Caulfield trainer Mick Price has his eyes on Group One glory in the coming months with Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale purchases Malasun and Instiniction after the pair completed a race-to-race stakes double on Australia Day in Melbourne.

Malasun ($80,000 2011 Premier, 2f Red Ransom-Malapert) was on debut in the Listed MRC Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for two-year-old fillies and after settling behind the odds-on favourite Sweet Little Lies the daughter of Red Ransom peeled out at the top of the straight and outgunned Member’s Joy in a strong display.

Bred by Echo Beach Bloodstock and sold from the draft of Vinery Stud at last year’s Melbourne Premier Sale to BC3 Thoroughbreds for $80,000, Malasun has stamped herself as a serious challenger towards the $1million Group One MRC Blue Diamond Stakes back at Caulfield on February 25.

Inglis graduates have a great record in the Group One MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, with seven of the last nine winners of the Victorian juvenile feature that were offered at auction having been sold by Inglis including champion filly Alinghi who like Malasun was purchased in Melbourne for exactly $80,000.

Instinction ($300,000 2010 Premier, 3c Exceed And Excel-De Lago Mist) then made it two stakes races in a row for Mick Price when the impressive grey took out the Listed MRC Zeditave Stakes (1200m) over Specter and Petman.

Offered by Three Bridges Thoroughbreds as agent for breeder Peter Katelanis the son of Exceed And Excel was the highest priced lot on Day One of the 2010 Melbourne Premier Sale when sold to Blue Sky Thoroughbreds and Mick Price, and connections have their sights on the Group One VRC Australian Guineas on March 3 after today’s strong performance.

Price knows what it takes to win the Australian Guineas having won the race with Light Fantastic and Heart Of Dreams in 2008 and 2009.

Buyer’s next chance to secure a top class yearling is at the 2012 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale where 790 lots will be offered over four days from Monday February 27 to Thursday March 1.

Melbourne Premier has an enviable record of unearthing Group One winners such as sale flag bearer Black Caviar who aims for her 17th straight victory at 8:15pm tomorrow night at Moonee Valley in the Group Two MVRC Australia Stakes.