Triple Crown Chase a Fourth Inglis Classic Victory

WITH three winners in the last ten years, the red silks of Triple Crown hold the record for the most wins in the Inglis Classic, and in Saturday's renewal of the $250,000 sprint for two-year-olds, Australia's leading syndicators will be chasing a fourth triumph with two contenders in line for the coveted prize.

Smart Missile filly Ballistica looks to follow in the footsteps of Triple Crown's 2012 winner Cavalry Rose in winning the race on her first start, and she has caught the eye with two trial wins to date, most recently when showing a frightening turn of foot to burst to victory in a trial at Gosford on January 31.

Purchased for just $40,000 from the Inglis Classic Sale 12 months ago, Ballistica has impressed trainer Bjorn Baker in her work so far.

"I've been really happy with this filly," said Baker. "She's been doing everything right this preparation and I liked what I saw in her two trials.

"We're throwing her in the deep end a little bit here but it's a valuable prize and one that's certainly worth having a crack at.

"She's drawn ideally in gate three which will hopefully allow her to get a gun run and if she's able to produce that same turn of foot we won't be far away.

"Jason [Collett] knows her well having ridden her in her latest trial and track work so she's in good hands."

Triple Crown will also be represented by a second Bjorn Baker-trained juvenile, with the once-raced Ta Chanson taking his chance in the field of 16.

Purchased for $55,000 at the 2017 Inglis Classic Sale, the son of Your Song had to navigate the long way home at Wyong on January 21, but stuck to his task in finishing fifth, and Baker expects an improved performance on Saturday, but will have to overcome and awkward draw in Barrier 14.

"Ta Chanson has trained on nicely since his run at Wyong where not a lot went right," said Baker. "His work is much better than what we saw that day and he'll take benefit from having race experience under his belt.

"He's just drawn a little awkward but he's working well at home and the addition of blinkers will see him come on further and will sharpen him up a little bit."

Triple Crown's record of three victories in the Inglis Classic to date is matched by no other owner, with future Group 1 ATC Sires' Produce winner Peggy Jean (pictured above , Steve Hart) the last to strike in the Restricted Listed race for The Red silks in 2014. The filly by Myboycharlie was purchased for $46,000 at the Inglis Classic Sale and won $920,000 in prizemoney before being sold as a broodmare for $1 Million.