In a day showcasing Victorian bred horses at Caulfield, it was the Matt Laurie trained Inglis Premier graduate Prince Of Sussex that won the inaugural $1,000,000 Showdown.
The son of Swettenham stud's exciting first season sire Toronado (IRE) was positioned awkwardly in running but ran away to win impressively by nearly two lengths.
Trainer Matt Laurie was full of praise for the 2YO after the gelding provided the trainer with the richest win of his career.
"He is a very smart horse," Laurie said.
"He is a game day horse and was outstanding today.
"He picked up the horses infront of him so easily and this is the most exciting day I've ever had."
Prince Of Sussex's journey began with the Mornington trainer when he selected him at the 2018 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
"This horse really stood out at the sales," Laurie said.
"I thought he was a $200,000 plus horse but one of my main clients Paul Dugan bought him for $145,000.
"It was great to get him, an outstanding looking horse.
"It was a bit of a punt on a first season sire but what a start to his career Toronado has had."
Price Of Sussex was conceived, foaled and reared at Swettenham Stud on behalf of owner Chris Jackson.
Swettenham stud principal Adam Sangster was thrilled with the result of their race both for the farm and their stallion Toronado.
"He was always an outstanding foal, there was some interest to buy him as a foal but Chris wanted to take him through as a yearling," Sangster said.
"The whole result is great for Toronado.
"The great thing about this race is the Victorian breeders have contributed to it.
"There's a lot of progressive young sires in Victoria."
At Hawkesbury, Inglis Classic graduate Military Zone fought bravely to win the G3 Hawkesbury Guineas to win his second Stakes race, defeating Inglis Easter graduate Trope.
Triple Crown Syndications purchased Military Zone (Epaulette) at the 2017 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale for $140,000.
At Eagle Farm, the Darby Racing owned Jagged Edge won the Listed Dalrello Stakes at Eagle Farm to maintain an unbeaten record.
The 2YO son of Better Than Ready was purchased at the 2018 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale by Darby Racing and DeBurgh Equine for $46,000, where he was sold by Eureka Stud.
All is in readiness for tomorrow's Melbourne Gold Yearling Sale, with 261 yearlings catalogued, including nine progeny of Toronado.
To view the Melbourne Gold catalogue - which includes 137 Super VOBIS-nominated yearlings and 105 BOBS eligible youngsters -CLICK HERE.
The sale begins at Oaklands Junction at 10am Sunday.
