The G1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington was billed as a race for the ages and so it transpired with the Chris Waller trained pair Home Affairs (I Am Invincible) and Nature Strip (Nicconi) engaging in a titanic duel down the 1000m straight.
At the line, it was the 3YO Home Affairs who prevailed by the narrowest of margins to complete an Inglis quinella and confirm his standing as one of the most exciting colts in the world.
A brilliant winner of the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes over 1200m at Flemington in the Spring, Home Affairs faced the daunting prospect of taking on World Champion Sprinter and 7-time G1 winner Nature Strip at weight for age, but demonstrated extraordinary class and tenacity to prevail.
“He’s an absolute superstar my colt and he knows how to fight” said big race jockey James McDonald.
“The first half didn’t really go to plan to be honest with you, he was just left there, left a sitting duck, and for him to show that much fighting quality and determination and speed is just incredible.
“He is such a star colt.
“I knew he would be in for the fight, even though the first half didn’t go to plan, but that is just how good he is.
“So Nature Strip is the world’s best sprinter at this stage and this fella is banging down the door,” concluded McDonald in complimenting his charge.
Home Affairs was purchased as a yearling for $875,000 from the draft of Torryburn Stud at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale by Coolmore’s Tom Magnier and races for a syndicate of high-profile investors and breeders.
For Coolmore’s Tom Magnier, the win was a special result.
“He is a wonderful colt and it seems fitting that he is the first 3YO colt to win this race since our own Champion Sire Fastnet Rock won the race in our navy silks in 2005,” said Magnier.
“It’s a spectacular result for everyone involved, especially all the partners in the horse, and the future is very, very exciting for him.
“He is the best sprinting colt in the world and horses of his quality are incredibly rare so we are very lucky to have him” added Magnier.
Home Affairs is one of 66 G1-winning Inglis graduates since 2018 and his win marks the 100th G1 win by an Inglis graduate in that time.
He is also one of 22 Inglis colts to win at G1 level in that time, 15 of whom were sourced at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Torryburn Stud, who purchased the dam of Home Affairs through Belmont Bloodstock at the 2017 Inglis Chairman’s Sale, will offer a half-brother to the star colt by Dundeel at the 2022 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
To view the catalogue for this year’s Easter Sale – to be held at Riverside on April 5 and 6 – CLICK HERE.
Also at Flemington, talented 5YO Corner Pocket (Toronado) extended his unbeaten run to 8 when taking out the Listed The Elms Handicap over 1400m.
The Lindsey Smith trainee was purchased by Smith and Boomer Bloodstock’s Craig Rounsefell for $175,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale from the draft of Musk Creek Farm, who had in turn purchased him for $75,000 from the draft of Swettenham Stud at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale.
The progressive gelding has now earned in excess of $351,000 and been a model of consistency, placing on the only two occasions that he hasn’t won in his 10-start career.
Musk Creek will offer a draft of 9 yearlings at the upcoming Inglis Premier Yearling Sale which commences in just over a week (Feb 27,28 & March 1).
On-site inspections begin on Tuesday February 22 for the catalogue which also includes 39 yearlings by Toronado.
To view the Premier catalogue, CLICK HERE.
At Rosehill, 2YO colt Magic (Snitzel) offered an ominous demonstration of his talent with a fast-finishing second placing on debut in the G2 Silver Slipper over 1100m.
The Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes trained colt, who topped the 2021 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale when offered by Arrowfield Stud, rattled home from near-last in the colours of Rupert Legh to be beaten a rapidly diminishing half-length margin and looks to have a bright future.
Also at Rosehill, 4YO gelding Rule Of Law (Snitzel) further enhanced his claims to be considered bargain of the season by claiming his fifth consecutive metropolitan race for Bjorn Baker.
Purchased for $30,000 through the Inglis Digital (Late) April Online Sale in 2021 by Clarke Bloodstock, Rule Of Law is unbeaten in 5 starts since and today took his earnings past the $310,000 mark when justifying short-priced favouritism in the 1100m Handicap on the card.
The Inglis Digital February (Late) Sale is currently open for bidding with the likes of Wheelhouse, Kalashnikov and Kingsheir amongst the highlights of the 342 horse catalogue.
To view the February (Late) catalogue or to participate in the sale, CLICK HERE.
To final countdown of bidding begins from 12pm (AEDT) Wednesday, February 23.
At Moonee Valley on Friday night, 7YO gelding Skelm (Animal Kingdom) took his earnings past the $610,000 mark with his win in the Listed Moonee Valley Night Cup over 2500m.
Skelm was a $12,000 purchase for trainer Terry Kelly from the draft of Godolphin at the 2017 Inglis December Thoroughbred Sale at Oaklands and this marked this seventh career win, but his first at Stakes level.
