For a fourth consecutive week, an Inglis graduate has become a first time G1 winner as Lombardo (I Am Invincible) ran his rivals ragged in the Goodwood Handicap at Morphettville.
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior, Lombardo was sent straight to the front by jockey Zac Spain in Adelaide’s biggest race and never looked like losing, crossing the line with a comfortable 1.5L margin over his 18 rivals.
Today’s win follows on from recent weeks’ successes of Mazu (Doomben 10,000), Snapdancer (Sangster Stakes) and Glint Of Hope (Australasian Oaks) as Inglis graduates to earn their G1 stripes.
Lombardo becomes the 74th G1-winning Inglis graduate since 2018 and becomes the second consecutive Inglis grad to win the G1 Goodwood Handicap following the success of Savatoxl last year.
Today’s result was especially poignant for Burnewang North’s Cathy Hains, with Lombardo becoming the first Australian G1 winner bred off the farm.
Haines co-bred Lombardo with close friends Eric Lucas and the late Steve Brem, who teamed up to purchase his dam Swinging Babe at the 2007 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale for $130,000.
“She was one of if not the first mare we bought together and today is just an absolutely fantastic feeling, we’re all beside ourselves, we’re really truly excited,’’ Haines said.
“He was a lovely foal and grew into a strong, impressive yearling. We expected him to sell well at the Premier Sale and he did and we were glad he found his way into good hands so we retained a share and we couldn’t be happier.
“He looked a bit stirred up going into the barriers today, a bit hot but when he jumped to the front we knew he’d have every chance of getting over the line and he did.’’
Burnewang offered Lombardo at the 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale at Oaklands, where trainers Price and Kent Junior teamed up with Aquis to purchase him for $300,000.
Winning co-trainer Price was understandably ecstatic with today’s result, which was Lombardo’s fifth win at Morphettville from five attempts.
“I don’t know, maybe he’s just adrenalized by a trip away because today he was like saddling up a big bear, he was just booming and ready to go,’’ Price said.
“I said to [jockey] Zac [Spain] ‘don’t worry about what goes on this race, just back yourself, back your horse and ride your own race and let him roll’ and he did exactly that.
“He’s a big, free-striding son of I Am Invincible… he’s been a lovely horse to race, he’s got some fantastic people in him and it’s a great day for a lot of people.’’
Earlier at Morphettville Foxy Frida (Foxwedge) scored a valuable first black type win when victorious in the Listed Centaurea Stakes for trainer Andrew Noblet.
Foxy Frida has been a consistent mare for Noblet, with today’s win her sixth from 16 starts, with a further six second placings, taking her career earnings to $550,000.
Also a winner of feature races such as the Inglis Bracelet and Bendigo Gold Bracelet prior to today, Foxy Friday is a $50,000 Premier Yearling Sale purchase for Noblet from the draft of Mill Park Stud, who bred the mare in conjunction with Kellie McCarthy.
“She’s very consistent, never runs a bad race, tries all the time, she didn’t have much luck here the other day but she got a great ride today and got the job done,’’ Noblet said.
“It’s also always good when they spread them out like she did with the margins. She’ll go to the paddock now, she’s done enough this time around, she’s still maturing, still filling out in herself so we’ll get her ready for the spring.’’
Buyers’ next chance to purchase a future Inglis G1 winner is in the Inglis Digital May (Late) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
There are 402 lots catalogued for the sale, including talented Group placed Chris Waller-trained 3YO Minsk Moment and lightly raced, three-time winning 3YO Saint Tropez.
In total there are 148 broodmares, 90 racehorses, 67 race fillies, 39 weanlings, 29 yearlings and 29 shares in the catalogue.
The final countdown of bidding begins from midday Wednesday.
To view the catalogue or to participate in the auction, CLICK HERE.
