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Lazzago surges into Slipper calculations as Millennium form holds strong

25th Feb 2023

The Inglis Millennium form held up superbly at Randwick today to provide the trifecta in the G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes where gorgeous filly Lazzago (Capitalist) defeated Facile and Blanc De Blanc.

It was a second career win from just three starts for the Chris Waller-trained Lazzago and took her earnings to a staggering $726,000, thanks partly to the $400,000 she earned in the Millennium for being the first Inglis Pink Bonus-eligible horse home.

Bred by Robert Anderson, Lazzago is a $460,000 Easter Yearling Sale buy for Debbie and Paul Kepitis’ Woppitt Bloodstock, from the Widden Stud draft.

Facile was in the same Widden draft at last year’s Easter Sale.

Today’s win guarantees Lazzago (pictured) a start in the G1 Golden Slipper at Rosehill in three weeks, for which she is now a $15 chance with TAB.

Widden’s Antony Thompson said Lazzago and Facile were “mates all the way through’’ their Easter preparation 12 months ago.

“It’s a lovely quinella for the farm, they’re two lovely fillies and they were always so close so to see them run one two today was a great thrill,’’ Thompson said.

“Lazzago was very popular at Riverside, she was well found, had a lot of parades. She was one of those fillies that could have been in the colts’ barn in that she was so strong and forward, she always looked the 2YO type and to Debbie’s credit and her team and Chris [Waller] and Guy [Mulcaster], they wanted a 2YO and locked her in and they’re getting rewarded now.

“They’ve always talked about the Slipper for her, that’s been the dream and they’re in the race now so it’s a great thrill.’’

Widden will offer a draft of 36 at the Premier Yearling Sale, which begins at Oaklands next Sunday March 5.

“There’s some really nice horses in the draft, it’s been a big week for Trapeze Artist and we’ve got some lovely progeny of his, Zoustar and Written By continue to go well too so we head into the Melbourne Sale confident we’re got some great quality for the market.’’

Later on the Randwick program progressive 4YO Think About It (So You Think) made it four wins in a row – and six from his seven career starts - with a dominant victory in the G3 Liverpool City Cup.

Having raced through the grades in Sydney over summer, today was Think About It’s first test at Stakes level and he passed it with aplomb, settling on speed and annihilating his opposition.

Trainer Joe Pride teamed up with Jamie Walter of Proven Thoroughbreds to purchase Think About It for $70,000 at the Premier Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Newgate Farm.

Think About It is bred by Greg Kolivos’ Lightning Thoroughbreds.

Also at Randwick today, quality 3YO filly Sunshine in Paris (Invader) scored a stunning win in the G1 Surround Stakes for trainer Annabel Neasham.

Her Dubious half brother (ex Zenaida) is lot 250 at next weekend’s Premier Yearling Sale at Oaklands and will be offered by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds.

On-site inspections for Premier begin on Tuesday, with the sale beginning 10am next Sunday March 5.

To view the catalogue CLICK HERE.

Meanwhile in Melbourne today quality mare Steinem (Frankel) firmed into an $8 equal second favourite for the G1 Australian Cup at Flemington next month with a strong first-up win in the G2 Peter Young Stakes.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained 5YO was resuming after a successful Perth Summer Carnival campaign, which netted valuable G1 and G2 placings.

Today’s win took Steinem’s earnings to over $700,000 – she’s a $400,000 Easter Yearling Sale buy for Maher, from the Esker Lodge draft.

Steinem is bred by Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock.

Winning co-trainer Ciaron Maher said the Perth campaign was cut short to avoid the Perth Cup on New Year’s Day to ensure Steinem was able to prepare for the Australian Cup, which will be run at Flemington on March 25.

“We wanted her to have that residual fitness but still have time for us to get her ready for the Australian Cup so we targeted this race for her first up,’’ Maher said.

“I was really confident today, good track, fast tempo, I couldn’t believe her odds.

“Darren Dance, Frank and Christine Cook, heaps of other owners here today, they’re great supporters of mine. She’s just kept developing every year, she gets bigger and bigger and stronger and stronger this mare.’’

The G1 Blue Diamond Stakes was won by the Ben and JD Hayes-trained colt Little Brose, who defeated Don Corleone and Inglis Banner winner Arkansaw Kid.

Little Brose’s dam Mohegan Sky sold to Kelly Thoroughbreds for $25,000 in the 2021 Inglis Digital July (Early) Online Sale.