Inglis Millennium Form Holds Up

Media Release - Sunday February 26

The Inglis Millennium form held up superbly at Randwick to provide the trifecta in the G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes where gorgeous filly Lazzago (Capitalist) defeated Facile and Blanc De Blanc.

Lazzago and FAcile were both purchased from the Widden Stud draft at Inglis Easter - image Steve Hart

It was a second career win from just three starts for the Chris Waller-trained Lazzago and took her earnings to a staggering $726,000, thanks partly to the $400,000 she earned in the Millennium for being the first Inglis Pink Bonus-eligible horse home.

Bred by Robert Anderson, Lazzago is a $460,000 Easter Yearling Sale buy for Debbie and Paul Kepitis’ Woppitt Bloodstock, from the Widden Stud draft.

Facile was in the same Widden draft at last year’s Easter Sale.

Today’s win guarantees Lazzago (pictured) a start in the G1 Golden Slipper at Rosehill in three weeks, for which she is now a $15 chance with TAB.

Widden’s Antony Thompson said Lazzago and Facile were “mates all the way through’’ their Easter preparation 12 months ago.

Lazzago as a yearling

“It’s a lovely quinella for the farm, they’re two lovely fillies and they were always so close so to see them run one two today was a great thrill,’’ Thompson said.

“Lazzago was very popular at Riverside, she was well found, had a lot of parades. She was one of those fillies that could have been in the colts’ barn in that she was so strong and forward, she always looked the 2YO type and to Debbie’s credit and her team and Chris [Waller] and Guy [Mulcaster], they wanted a 2YO and locked her in and they’re getting rewarded now.

“They’ve always talked about the Slipper for her, that’s been the dream and they’re in the race now so it’s a great thrill.’’

Widden will offer a draft of 36 at the Premier Yearling Sale, which begins at Oaklands next Sunday March 5.

“There’s some really nice horses in the draft, it’s been a big week for Trapeze Artist and we’ve got some lovely progeny of his, Zoustar and Written By continue to go well too so we head into the Melbourne Sale confident we’re got some great quality for the market.’’

Later on the Randwick program progressive 4YO Think About It (So You Think) made it four wins in a row – and six from his seven career starts - with a dominant victory in the G3 Liverpool City Cup.

Having raced through the grades in Sydney over summer, today was Think About It’s first test at Stakes level and he passed it with aplomb, settling on speed and annihilating his opposition.

Trainer Joe Pride teamed up with Jamie Walter of Proven Thoroughbreds to purchase Think About It for $70,000 at the Premier Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Newgate Farm.

Think About It is bred by Greg Kolivos’ Lightning Thoroughbreds.

Advertisement

Also at Randwick today, quality 3YO filly Sunshine in Paris (Invader) scored a stunning win in the G1 Surround Stakes for trainer Annabel Neasham.

Her Dubious half brother (ex Zenaida) is lot 250 at next weekend’s Premier Yearling Sale at Oaklands and will be offered by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds.

On-site inspections for Premier begin on Tuesday, with the sale beginning 10am next Sunday March 5.

To view the catalogue CLICK HERE.

Meanwhile in Melbourne today quality mare Steinem (Frankel) firmed into an $8 equal second favourite for the G1 Australian Cup at Flemington next month with a strong first-up win in the G2 Peter Young Stakes.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained 5YO was resuming after a successful Perth Summer Carnival campaign, which netted valuable G1 and G2 placings.

Today’s win took Steinem’s earnings to over $700,000 – she’s a $400,000 Easter Yearling Sale buy for Maher, from the Esker Lodge draft.

Steinem is bred by Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock.

Winning co-trainer Ciaron Maher said the Perth campaign was cut short to avoid the Perth Cup on New Year’s Day to ensure Steinem was able to prepare for the Australian Cup, which will be run at Flemington on March 25.

“We wanted her to have that residual fitness but still have time for us to get her ready for the Australian Cup so we targeted this race for her first up,’’ Maher said.

“I was really confident today, good track, fast tempo, I couldn’t believe her odds.

“Darren Dance, Frank and Christine Cook, heaps of other owners here today, they’re great supporters of mine. She’s just kept developing every year, she gets bigger and bigger and stronger and stronger this mare.’’

The G1 Blue Diamond Stakes was won by the Ben and JD Hayes-trained colt Little Brose, who defeated Don Corleone and Inglis Banner winner Arkansaw Kid.

Little Brose’s dam Mohegan Sky sold to Kelly Thoroughbreds for $25,000 in the 2021 Inglis Digital July (Early) Online Sale.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Highview Makes Welcome Return to Weanling Sale
Many of the vendors at this month’s NZB National Weanling Sale are familiar faces who are renowned for their quality drafts at this sale every year, but the 2025 edition also sees an old friend being welcomed back to the fold.
Waikato Stud Weanling Draft Showcases Super Stallions
After a phenomenal few months for Waikato Stud’s stallion roster, the world-renowned nursery will offer six select progeny of those high-flying sires at this week’s NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka.
Countdown to NZB’s 2025 Weanling Sale
The countdown to NZB’s 2025 National Weanling Sale is underway, with a compact yet quality catalogue of 134 youngsters, plus 10 supplementary lots, selling this Thursday 26 June at Karaka. 
Capitalist Filly Zooms into Golden Slipper
Widden Stud raised and sold fillies Lazzago and Facile fought out the finish of the $250,000 Group II ATC Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday while race favourite Skirt the Law failed to fire.
One to Watch – Cranbourne
Second in the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate last year to Tycoon Star, this Cosmic Force colt made light work of a maiden at Cranbourne on Sunday when bolting away to win as he pleased.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 22
Here is the full list of 76 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Aussie Bred HK G3 Double
A pair of Group III races were run at Sha Tin on Sunday with victory in the two last stakes races of the HK season both going to Aussie bred geldings Beauty Joy and Copartner Prance, who is a half-brother to Aquis based sire Kobayashi.
One to Watch – Scone
Kris Lees often sends a talented horse to the country to cast off maiden status and a two year-old Exceedance gelding did just that on debut at Scone on Monday.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Canterbury
There were a whopping 10 heats won by juveniles at the Canterbury trials on Monday morning that included some interesting unraced youngsters by Zoustar, Zousain and Trapeze Artist, plus a good looking youngster that may see the benefit of gelding.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 23
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.