News

Stars Shoot for G1 Glory as inspections underway in Melbourne

24th Feb 2011

Buyers have converged on Inglis’ Oaklands sales complex as inspections take place ahead of Monday’s first session of the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.

Sale graduates have been flying high in the past 12 months and Black Caviar’s scintillating Lightning Stakes win last Saturday further underlined the level of quality on offer at Premier.

Melbourne’s jewel in the Festival Of Racing, this weekend’s Super Saturday at Caulfield, could further enhance that reputation.

Inglis graduates are heavily represented across the Blue Diamond, Futurity Stakes and Oakleigh Plate.

The Blue Diamond has been a happy hunting ground for Inglis graduates, winning seven of the past 11, including Premier stars Alinghi and Reward For Effort.

Graduates of Inglis sales make up nine of the 14 runners in this year’s Diamond, including Premier purchases Masthead, Arctic Command, Delago’s Lad and second favourite Hallowell Belle.

Reward For Effort is out to further his Group One resume when he runs in the Oakleigh Plate, where stable mate and fellow Premier graduate Set For Fame also looms as a live chance.

Ortensia has been well-travelled in the past 18 months and performed with distinction everywhere she has raced. The Tony Noonan trained mare chases an overdue Group 1 win in the Futurity Stakes. Avienus, who ran so well in last year’s Cox Plate, is another Oaklands product set to tackle the Futurity.

The 2011 Melbourne Premier Sale begins next Monday, February 28 and runs over four consecutive days.

The TVN Melbourne Premier Sale Preview can be viewed HERE

An open day has been scheduled for this Sunday beginning from midday, with the sales auditorium the focus. Highlights will be a Q&A session with leading trainers Peter Moody, Mick Price, Robbie Griffiths and Robert Smerdon and a parade of living legends Better Loosen Up, Might And Power, the Premier Sale’s dual Cox Plate winner Fields Of Omagh and latest retiree Apache Cat who is on his first public appearance.

There will also be charity auctions of Statue Of Liberty and Bel Esprit service fees (to support Living Legends), the drawing of the Sunday Herald Sun – Win A Share In A Racehorse and a host of other social activities throughout the day including local food and wine tasting. The full Open Day Schedule is available HERE