News

Huge month ahead as Inglis grads dominate again

2nd Oct 2021

A Caulfield Cup, a Cox Plate, an Everest and an Inglis Millennium.

These are the tantalising goals of the four Inglis-sold Stakes winners from today’s big afternoon of racing in Australia and New Zealand.

Tenacious mare Montefilia (Kermadec) was the star of the show, winning her third career G1 when edging out fellow Inglis graduate Entente in the G1 The Metropolitan at Randwick.

She was well supported by Callsign Mav (G1 Windsor Park Plate), Masked Crusader (G2 Premiere Stakes) and Sejardan (G3 Breeders’ Plate) who all put their hands up for more feature race success soon.

Many believed Montefilia was a risk at the 2400m of today’s The Metropolitan but such was the strength of the victory, she will now head towards the G1 Caulfield Cup over the same distance in a fortnight.

It’s a decision Tyreel Stud’s Linda Monds – who bred and then sold Montefilia to Baystone Farm’s Dean Harvey for $62,000 at the Great Southern Sale – says is the right one.

“Watch out! I think it’s a great decision to head there, I mean why not?’’ Monds said.

“I’ll admit I was doubting myself about whether she would run the distance today but she proved she can so the Caulfield Cup is the obvious next race for her I would think so good luck to David Payne and connections.

“What a big heart this mare has. She’s such a quality individual, as she was as a foal and then weanling when we sold her so with her in the Caulfield Cup and [Tyreel graduate] Classique Legend in The Everest, October 16 is going to be a big day for the farm.’’

Montefilia (pictured) is one of 64 Inglis graduates to have won a G1 since 2018 and one of many recent high-class Tyreel graduates to have been sold by Inglis including Classique Legend, Behemoth and Tiger Of Malay.

Earlier on the Randwick program, freakish sprinter Masked Crusader and talented juvenile Sejardan both scored ultra-impressive wins.

Masked Crusader (Toronado) completed his Everest build-up with a scintillating last-to-first victory in the G2 Premiere Stakes.

The 5YO slightly missed the kick but jockey Tommy Berry didn’t panic, weaving his way through the field to score a most impressive win.

In doing so, Masked Crusader firmed into a $6 third favourite with TAB for the $15m The Everest - behind fellow Inglis graduates Classique Legend ($4.50) and Nature Strip ($5) – to be run at Randwick in a fortnight.

Trainers John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes teamed up with Cameron Cooke Bloodstock to buy Masked Crusader for $340,000 at the Premier Yearling Sale, where he was offered by his breeder Gilgai Farm.

And on debut, 2YO Sejardan (Sebring) showed a dazzling turn of foot to claim the G3 Breeders’ Plate.

It was love at first sight for his trainer Gary Portelli earlier this year, even before he had seen Sejardan in the flesh at Riverside ahead of the Classic Yearling Sale.

Portelli trains Sejardan’s Dissident half sister Crystal’s Legacy and when breeder Dale Miller sent him a photo of Sejardan at Middlebrook Valley Lodge ahead of the Classic Sale, Portelli knew he had to have him.

“I fell in love with him from the photo and then when I saw him for the first time in the flesh at Riverside I fell in love even more,’’ an elated Portelli said after today’s victory.

“He’s a very good colt this, we’ll probably head to the Golden Gift next and then all going well, he’ll be in the Inglis Millennium in February for the really big money.’’

For breeder Miller, the win was monumental.

“I stole the dam [Miss Amajardan] for just $6500 at the old Scone Sale and raced her, she won her first two starts impressively but she had continued sinus issues and we never saw the best of her so I decided to breed with her,’’ Miller said.

“I’ve only got three broodmares and this one has now thrown a Stakes winner on debut so it’s been a pretty bloody good afternoon.’’

Sejardan is a $160,000 Classic Yearling Sale purchase for Portelli, from the Middlebrook Valley Lodge draft.

In New Zealand today, warhorse Callsign Mav (Atlante) again led from barrier to post when claiming the G1 Windsor Park Plate at Hastings, his second consecutive G1 success.

He will now fly to Melbourne where he will join the Danny O’Brien yard and be prepared for the $5m Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in three weeks.

It’s a huge result for Adam Nelson of Nelson Thoroughbreds – Nelson originally held a 36% share in Callsign Mav and when another 36% share became available in the Inglis Digital October (Late) Online Sale last year, he purchased it for a syndicate of family, friends and colleagues.

Today’s successes in Australia and New Zealand came after a huge program at Sha Tin last night where Inglis graduates won seven of the 10 races, including Super Wealthy (Epaulette) who claimed the feature G3 National Day Cup.

Formerly trained in Sydney by Jason Coyle, Super Wealthy had one run in Australia when named Covert Operation, winning on debut at Randwick on Australia Day in 2019.

Since arriving in Hong Kong, the David Hayes-trained and Kerry O’Brien-bred 6YO has raced 13 times for five wins and three minor placings.

He is a $55,000 Classic Yearling Sale buy from Bhima for Familia Nominees and Homann Bloodstock, who then breezed him up through the Inglis Ready2Race Sale.

Super Wealthy’s success continued a buoyant run by Inglis Ready2Race graduates, with Forgot You and Lightsaber both winning Stakes races in the past fortnight and Gunstock firming into a $7 equal favourite for the G1 Victoria Derby following a close-up 3rd in today’s Listed Super Impose Stakes at Flemington.

This year’s Ready2Race Sale will be held at Riverside on Tuesday October 26 and the catalogue is now finalised.

To view the catalogue, CLICK HERE.

While Super Wealthy won the sole Stakes race on the Sha Tin program, it won’t be long until Nervous Witness (Star Witness) does the same.

The 4YO kept his unbeaten record intact and announced himself the new star of Hong Kong racing, with last night’s 3.8L win coming after a similarly effortless 3L victory on debut a month earlier.

Trained by David Hayes, Nervous Witness is a $110,000 Classic Yearling Sale buy for Neerim Lodge from Southern Cross Breeders.