The promising 2-year-old Shalaa (IRE) colt Shall Be will target the $200,000 Inglis Challenge to be run on May 17 at Scone Racecourse after breaking his maiden in the New Era Technology Maiden Plate at Newcastle on Wednesday.
Ridden by Ashley Morgan for Mark Minervini, Shall Be made all the running to defeat the Brutal gelding Aged Care by three-quarters of a length, with the Epaulette filly Glorioso a long head back in third.
Run down in the closing stages by the promising I Am Invincible filly Rantan over the same distance and track at his debut on April 3, Shall Be earned a shot at the Inglis Challenge, which is restricted to 2-year-olds nominated to the Inglis Race Series that were offered at the Inglis HTBA Scone Yearling Sale.
“I reckon he will be around the money for sure,” Minervini said.
“He will go to Scone, a fit, well-educated horse, and 1100m will be no worry. It will take something smart to beat him.”
Morgan said the son of Shalaa (IRE) is improving.
“He is a really nice horse who is still quite raw,” Morgan said.”
“He has natural ability, but when I went for him he is quite hard to ride out and wanted to get off the track. The plan was to get this race out of the way and head to Scone over 1100m, which will suit him.”
After failing to meet his reserve at the Inglis Classic, Shall Be was purchased for $8,000 by Minervini Racing / GB Bloodstock (NZ), when offered by Willow Park Stud at the 2023 Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale.
He is the fourth winner for the talented Not A Single Doubt mare Belle De Jeu, the winner of four in New Zealand.
A half-sister to Group III AJC Sweet Embrace Stakes winner and Golden Rose runner-up Stripper (Danehill Dancer), Belle De Jeu has a yearling colt by Exceedance, which was a $2,750 purchase for Wendy Robb when offered on Inglis Digital.
Belle De Jeu was not covered last spring after foaling an Exceedance colt on October 26.
Woodside Park Stud’s Shalaa (IRE) joins Snitzel on seven 2-year-old winners for the season, behind Too Darn Hot (GB) and Headwater on eight.
