News

Tathagata set for Slipper

25th Feb 2017

Kooringal Stud’s Stuart Lamont always thought Diamond Tathagata would develop into a top-class racehorse, just not necessarily as a 2YO.

He’s already started being proved wrong, with the son of Yarraman Park stallion Hinchinbrook a guaranteed Golden Slipper starter after today winning the Group 2 Skyline Stakes at a wet Randwick.

Trained by Mark Newnham, Diamond Tathagata debuted in the Inglis Nursery in December, running second to Slipper favourite She Will Reign.

Today’s race was only his second start, where he proved any rain on Slipper day could prove to be of benefit.

“He was one of the nicest colts you could have, he was so very correct, a lovely bodied horse with plenty of scope and a great nature,’’ Lamont said.

“It’s no surprise at all to me that he’s succeeding on the track, although I always thought he would be a star 3YO, so everything he is doing now is a bonus I think.

“Congratulations to Mark, he has done a great job with him.’’

Diamond Tathagata (Hinchinbrook x Maltese) firmed from $101 into $26 with the TAB for the Golden Slipper following today’s win.

He was a $100,000 purchase at last year’s Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, where Kooringal Stud offered him.

There are eight Hinchinbrooks at this year’s Premier Sale, which starts at Oaklands Junction at midday tomorrow (Sunday February 26).

To view the Premier Yearling Sale catalogue, CLICK HERE.

It was another strong day of results for Inglis graduates around Australasia in today’s black-type events.

Savanna Amour gave her sire Love Conquers All his first Stakes victory when she won today’s Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes at Caulfield.

The 3YO filly (ex Savanna La Mar) was a $100,000 buy for Grant Morgan’s Ontrack Thoroughbreds at the 2015 Inglis Classic Sale, when Love Conquers All was a First Season Sire.

“After all the inspections, she was the one I really wanted,’’ Morgan said.

“There was no hype at all for Love Conquers All as a First Season Sire but we always look at those second-tier stallions and this filly has proven us right.’’

Meanwhile Inglis weanling Benz returned to racing with a bang at Caulfield, winning the Group 3 Zeditave Stakes.

The 3YO son of Bushranger and Mycedes hadn’t raced since leading and being run down in the Sandown Guineas in November.

Today’s win was Benz’s sixth from 10 starts and took his career earnings to $280,000.

Not bad for an $11,000 buy at the 2014 Inglis Broodmare and Weanling Sale, where Eliza Park International offered him in their draft.

Benz was Bushranger’s first Stakes winner in Australia.

In New Zealand, Easter colt Summer Passage booked himself a Golden Slipper berth by winning today’s Listed Matamata Slipper.

Trained by Wexford Stables’ Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, Summer Passage (Snitzel x Subsequent) was an $800,000 buy for Wexford from Highgrove Stud’s 2016 Australian Easter Yearling Sale draft.

He has raced only twice, finished second on debut before today’s black-type win.

And last night, Brugal Reward added some all-important black type to her resume at Moonee Valley when claiming the Group 3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes.

The 3YO filly (Reward For Effort x Tiger Tess) swamped from the tail of the field to run past her opposition and claim back-to-back wins for her trainer Darren Weir and large bunch of owners.

Weir paid $45,000 for Brugal Reward at the 2015 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale from the draft of Chatswood Stud.

Her Strada half-brother is being offered by Holbrook Thoroughbreds as Lot 674 at this year’s Premier Sale, which starts at Oaklands Junction tomorrow (Sunday February 26) from midday.