With autumn features almost upon us, Inglis 2YOs stepped up in style today with a pair of Easter fillies running the quinella in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview and a Classic filly surging into contention for the $2m Inglis Millennium.
At Sandown, debutant My Gladiola (I Am Invincible) announced herself as one of the standout juveniles of the season so far with a dominant victory in the fillies lead-up to the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes.
The John McArdle-trained My Gladiola defeated fellow Easter Yearling Sale filly Price Tag (Zoustar) today and in doing so, firmed into a $7 outright favourite with Ladbrokes for the Blue Diamond, to be run on February 22.
McArdle’s Redgum Racing purchased My Gladiola (pictured) for $550,000 at last year’s Easter Yearling Sale, where she was offered by her breeder Kia Ora Stud.
“She’s a nice filly the Pierro half, she’s going to be even more popular now,’’ a thrilled Shane Wright, Kia Ora’s Bloodstock & Breeding Manager, said.
“My Gladiola was such a beautiful filly, she was very highly regarded at Easter, a lot of good judges loved her but none more so than John McArdle, he couldn’t stop talking about her and looking at her.
“I’m thrilled for John that he’s got another nice filly on his hands. It’s great for the farm too, when you have a filly come out on a big day like today and show she’s up to the best of them, it’s a great feeling and it was great to watch.
“Our Classic draft, it’s a really nice bunch of yearlings and then Easter, we’re heavy on fillies at Easter this year, just the way things have fallen, and there are some absolutely beautiful yearlings in there that we can’t wait to offer.’’
McArdle added: “At Easter I loved her, absolutely, and so did Paul Johnson, one of the owners. I mean we paid $550,000 for her so I would want to have loved her.
“We were pretty confident going into today, she’d shown us plenty back home, I guess the biggest concern was she’s still a bit green so she’ll come on a lot from today.
“We’ll probably head to the [Blue Diamond] Prelude next and then into the Blue Diamond with her.’’
It wasn’t just at Sandown where Inglis 2YOs dominated.
At Randwick Open Secret (King’s Legacy) debuted in the best way possible, scoring a tough on-speed win.
Trainer John Thompson teamed up with Craig Rounsefell’s Boomer Bloodstock to buy Open Secret for $150,000 at last year’s Classic Yearling Sale, where she was offered by Middlebrook Valley Lodge.
Bred by M&R Services, who remains in the ownership, Open Secret firmed into a $9 equal second favourite with Ladbrokes for the $2m Inglis Millennium in a fortnight off the back of today’s victory.
“When I saw her at the [Inglis Classic] Sale I swear to God I was looking at a colt,’’ Thompson said of his filly Open Secret.
“She’s just a good horse. She trialled well and is eligible for the Inglis Millennium in two weeks’ time so that’s where she’ll head next.
“Class takes you a long way and from day one she had ability. I thought they may be too quick for her today but natural talent got her home.’’
Today’s 2YO racing also brought about some significant pedigree updates for the looming Classic Sale.
The Tivaci half brother to today’s Karaka Millions winner La Dorado (ex Gold Fever) is lot 256 for Waikato Stud while the Zousain half brother to the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) winner Shining Smile (ex Nataya Rose) is lot 470 for Robyn Wise.
To view the Classic catalogue CLICK HERE.
To view the Easter catalogue CLICK HERE.
Meanwhile Inglis Digital provided three new Stakes winners around Australia today with Philosopher (Zoustar) and Coastwatch (Fastnet Rock) both saluting at Sandown and Prairie Flower (Star Turn) winning at Morphettville.
The 5YO Philosopher (Zoustar) led in an Inglis graduates trifecta in the Listed WJ Adams Stakes, defeating Midwest and Perilous Fighter.
Philosopher, from the Enver Jusufovic stable, is an $18,000 Inglis Digital purchase and has now won almost $500,000 in career earnings.
Coastwatch for Richard and Will Freedman proved too strong in the Listed John Dillon Stakes.
The 6YO is a $500,000 online purchase for AP Chan, having initially been a $750,000 Easter Yearling Sale buy for Guy Mulcaster from the Coolmore draft.
And Prairie Flower scored a valuable first Stakes success when winning the Listed Durbridge Stakes at Morphettville in the colours of Adam Mackrell’s Bell View Park Stud.
The 5YO mare is a $150,000 Inglis Digital buy, having initially sold to Henry Dwyer for $120,000 at the Premier Yearling Sale, from the Maluka Thoroughbreds draft.
