Tenacious stayer Red Aces (Dundeel) firmed into a $7 second favourite with Ladbrokes for next Saturday’s G1 Victoria Derby following his tough victory in today’s traditional lead up, the G2 Vase at Moonee Valley.
Red Aces’ victory was one of seven feature race wins for Inglis graduates over the weekend alongside Iknowastar ($1m Five Diamonds Prelude), Alabama Lass (G2 Soliloquy Stakes), Okita Soushi (G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup), Baraqiel (G2 McEwen Stakes), Future History (G3 JRA Cup) and Certain Rise (Listed Crockett Stakes).
Trainer Nick Ryan was forced to scratch his 3YO Red Aces last weekend but admitted it may have proven a “blessing in disguise’’ as he fought doggedly to win today to seal his place in the Derby at Flemington in seven days’ time.
Ryan paid $380,000 for Red Aces (pictured) at last year’s Premier Yearling Sale, where he was offered by his breeder David Kobritz of Musk Creek Farm.
The colt has now won two of his five career starts.
“I thought halfway up the straight he could be in trouble but he fought it right out and it’s onwards and upwards to the Derby now,’’ Kobritz said.
“He’s a strong horse, he was a powerful yearling and was very popular at Oaklands at the sale.
“It will be a great thrill for the farm to have a fancied runner in the Derby, let’s hope he can get the job done again then too.’’
Winning trainer Ryan added: “He’ll back up, my word. I’ll be thinking about what I’m going to do with him all week tonight, he’ll eat up tonight, the further the better for him, he’s got the pedigree so all looks good.
“He’s still in the Melbourne Cup too, it might be pie in the sky stuff but we’ll see…we’re keeping everyone’s dreams alive for now.’’
Earlier at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day untapped filly Certain Rise (Written Tycoon) made it two wins from three starts with a dominant on-speed victory in the Listed Crockett Stakes.
The Mike Moroney and Glen Thompson-trained 3YO had little issue contending with an awkward barrier of gate nine, going straight to the front for jockey Blake Shinn and never looking in doubt.
Certain Rise is a $400,000 Easter Yearling Sale purchase for Yulong, from the draft of her breeder Marquee Stud.
“She was always a ripper of a yearling, I’ve offered some pretty smart ones for sale but none much better than her,’’ Marquee’s Mark Alati said.
“I*’ve still got the whole family, the mare (Concubine) just keeps producing.’’
Co-trainer Thompson added: “Class rose to the top today.
“Yulong are really big owners and they’ve supported us well – we’ve got quite a few for them – and it’s good to get a nice winner for them.’’
There was multiple Inglis Digital success at Moonee Valley as well with Future History (Showcasing) and Baraqiel (Snitzel) both saluting.
Future History showed a sustained turn of speed to outstay his rivals to win the G3 JRA Cup.
Adam Carney and Parsons Creek’s Marc De Stoop teamed up last year to buy a 10% share in Future History on Inglis Digital for $205,000.
The Ciaron Maher-trained 7YO will target a race at Flemington during Cup week, with a decision as to which one to be made in coming days.
For the Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained Baraqiel, it was a sixth career win from eight starts when he scored the easiest of wins in the G2 McEwen Stakes.
Two 5% shares and a 7.5% share in Baraqiel have sold on Inglis Digital in the past 12 months.
Baraqiel will be given his chance at G1 glory in the Champions Sprint at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
At Randwick today Iknowastar (Star Witness) led all the way to claim the $1m Five Diamonds Prelude.
The 5YO is becoming a prolific winner, with today’s victory his 10th from 25 starts and took his earnings to almost $1.1m.
Trainer Bjorn Baker teamed up with bloodstock agent Jim Clarke to purchase Iknowastar for $80,000 at the Premier Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Widden Stud.
Bred by Miller Thoroughbreds and partners, Iknowastar will now push on to the $2m Five Diamonds, to be run at Rosehill in a fortnight.
“He’s been a revelation and he’s got a really big engine,’’ Baker said.
“He had three hooves and his tail out of the door, we were about to sack him and since then he’s just turned it around completely.
“He’s been a great horse, he’s an exciting horse. He puts the punch into races.”
At Ellerslie today Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) confirmed her mantle as being one of the most promising young horses in New Zealand with a fourth career win from five starts in the G2 Soliloquy Stakes.
Trainers Ken and Bev Kelso purchased Alabama Lass for $120,000 at last year’s Premier Yearling Sale at Oaklands, where she was offered in the Shadow Hill Thoroughbreds draft.
Bred by Rifa Mustang, Alabama Lass is now a dual Stakes winner and could soon be tested across the Tasman.
Meanwhile the weekend of success for Inglis graduates started at Moonee Valley last night when online purchase Okita Soushi (Galileo) won the G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding will now likely push on to the G1 Melbourne Cup, having risen to 22 in order of entry following the win.
Alana Maree purchased Okita Soushi for $185,000 in this year’s Inglis Digital March (Late) Online Sale.
He is raced by Rohit and Alana Saini.
Entries are now open for the November (Early) Sale and will remain open until midnight on Wednesday.
To enter CLICK HERE.
