News

Victorians capitalise to claim $100,000 Xtra Maiden Bonus

22nd Aug 2024

Another $100,000 Inglis Xtra Maiden Bonus was today won at the inaugural Victorian offering when Blackberry Bomb (Brazen Beau) broke her maiden at Sale.

Trainer Simon Zahra revealed post-race that the 3YO filly was initially going to contest last weekend’s G3 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield but opted for the option at Sale due exclusively to the significant prizemoney on offer thanks to the Inglis Xtra Maiden Bonus.

Of the 20 acceptors for the race, 12 were eligible for the $100,000 Inglis Xtra Bonus, with a pair of eligible fillies fighting out the closing stages in Blackberry Bomb and Grinzinger Sun.

“To be honest it was a bit of a no brainer to run her in the maiden when it was worth basically exactly the same as winning the Quezette, which was obviously going to be much harder to win,’’ Zahra said.

“The decision was purely based around the $100,000 Inglis bonus. Put it this way, we paid $300,000 for her and she’s got half that back in one go today for winning a maiden. It’s pretty extraordinary really.’’

Zahra teamed up with Cameron Cooke to purchase Blackberry Bomb for $300,000 at last year’s Premier Yearling Sale, where she was offered by Segenhoe Stud.

She was initially a $210,000 Great Southern Sale weanling purchase for James Bester from the Rushton Park draft.

Blackberry Bomb is raced by a large group of owners which includes Zahra as well as Kevin and Vikki Payne, of Estriella and Tutta la Vita fame.

Today’s was the fourth race in the $5m Xtra Bonus Maiden Series since it began earlier this month and three of the bonuses have been won – at Coffs Harbour, the Sunshine Coast and now Sale.

A total of 50 maidens Australia-wide – effectively one each week – will carry the $100,000 Xtra Bonus per season.

To win the bonus, a horse simply needs to be an Inglis graduate and paid up for the $12.55m Inglis Race Series.

The next Xtra Bonus Maiden will be held at Scone next Friday (August 30) in the Open Maiden Hcp over 1300m.

Nominations for that race close 11am Monday.

For the most up to date schedule of the Inglis Xtra Bonus Maiden races CLICK HERE.