Greg and Jo Griffin of Lime Country Thoroughbreds sold 15 yearlings at Inglis Classic last year at an average price of $132,333 and amazingly three of them have not only made it into the Inglis Millennium field, but they all have a serious shot at winning the lucrative scamper worth $2million.
The Kris Lees trained Too Darn Hot (GB) colt Rivellino has the services of James McDonald following his impressive metro debut win on January 4 and looked the part when steaming home for second in a recent trial. The barrier draw has done him no favours with 16 gate, but with a genius on board and abundant natural talent, he’s going to be hard to beat.
By first crop sire King’s Legacy, Kujenga is another impressive debut winner having showed brilliant speed to lead all the way and win over 1200m first up at the standalone Wyong Saturday meeting and the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald trained filly has the advantage of gate two and the speed to make use of it.
Also in the mix will be Super Seth colt Sanctified, who has raced once for a third behind boom colt Wodeton at Rosehill when he ran very greenly under pressure, but was still able to finish in the money. Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou have added a lugging bit and winkers to his gear for this assignment and if you believe Wodeton is the best two year-old in the country Sanctified deserves respect
“It’s very satisfying to see these horses progress and take their place in a race such as the Inglis Millennium and all three came to be prepared at Lime Country as the result of a couple of very fruitful relationships with our clients,” explained Jo Griffin.
“Segenhoe Stud don’t sell at Inglis Classic, so Peter O’Brien allows us to take a look through some of their weanlings in the paddocks at the farm and pick out a couple that we all believe are well suited for a sale like Classic.
“We take them to our place to be prepared for sale and Rivellino and Kujenga are two of those horses.
“We have a similar relationship with James Chapman at Jamieson Park in New Zealand and Sanctified was one the horses we identified from his farm to come across to Australia last year.
“Our draft this year will again feature yearlings from both Segenhoe and Jamieson Park that have been hand picked for this sale.”
Click here for the full draft of 16 yearlings from Lime Country this year with highlights below:
Lot 26 Colt So You Think x Angel Flight, by Snitzel
Strong athletic colt that appeals as a speedier style of So You Think. First foal of an unraced sister to Group II winner Mr Mozart and daughter of Group III winner Euro Angel. Outstanding female family with stakes-winning third dam Polish Princess, the dam of Group winners Leebaz, Polish Knight and Zebrowski.
Lot 73 Colt Farnan x Boorooj, by Exceed and Excel
From the second crop of Golden Slipper winner Farnan, sire of top class colt North England. Has had some good updates and is now a half-brother to two winners Back on de Quo and Swelter scoring since catalogue went to print. Fourth foal of winning half-sister to Group I winner Invest from Group I winner Unearthly.
Lot 106 Colt Hellbent x Chabaud, by Lookin at Lucky (USA)
Half-brother to two winners from Group III winner Chabaud and his three year-old full sister Holy Hell, has now raced three times for Champion Thoroughbreds for two seconds and is knocking on the door of her first win. Goes back to a top class family that has produced Group I winners Sea Siren, Warm Heart and Ruthless Dame.
Lot 384 Filly The Autumn Sun x Little Stevie, by Dream Ahead (USA)
By an outstanding sire of fillies in The Autumn Sun. First foal of prolific Melbourn metro winner Little Stevie, that won nearly $400,000 and is a half-sister to stakes-placed Tell Me from the family of Group winners Dama de Noche and Dracarys.
Lot 507 Filly Home Affairs x Panna Cotta, by Fastnet Rock
From the first crop of Champion 3YO Sprinter Home Affairs. Third foal of stakes-placed Panna Cotta, a sibling to Group winners Serene Majesty, Ducasse and stakes-winner Curdled. Her 2YO filly by Zoustar called Zumbo is now a debut winner for the Brett Cavanough stable.
Lot 793 Colt Capitalist x Ygritte, by Snitzel
Half-brother to three winners from stakes-winner Ygritte, a full sister to stakes-winner My Sister Lil with the family tracing back to NZ Horse of the Year Tycoon Lil and featuring Group II winner Daisies and stakes-winner Zou Tiger. Bred on very successful Capitalist x Snitzel nick that has produced 23 winners headed by Group winners Marine One and Cannonball as well as stakes-winners To Cap It All and Profiteer.
