The $2m Inglis Millennium in February looms as a key target for impressive colt Accession following his victory in today's $500,000 Listed Inglis Nursery at Randwick.
At just his second career start, Accession (Brazen Beau x Ready As Elle) was given a dream ride by jockey Hugh Bowman, who settled just behind the speed before overpowering the leaders midway up the straight.
In doing so he provided stallion Brazen Beau with his first Stakes winner.
Accession is a $300,000 Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase for Star Thoroughbreds and Chris Waller Racing, from the Widden Stud draft.
He joins Inglis Banner winner Espaaniyah as the two horses who will enter 2019 alive in the $3m Inglis Triple Crown.
To win the $3m bonus, either horse must now win both the $2m Inglis Millennium (Warwick Farm, Saturday February 9) and the $1m Inglis Sires (Randwick, Day 1 of The Championships, Saturday April 6).
Star Thoroughbreds' Denise Martin gave credit to Henry Plumptre for his role in the colt's selection at Easter.
"Henry assisted Star this year at the yearling sales before he took up his appointment in NZ and coming into Easter I said to Henry I really wanted a Brazen Beau colt because we hadn't been able to find the right one at any of the other sales,'' Martin said.
"This colt was very athletic, had a lot of purpose and his attitude was marvellous, which I think is a mark of the breed. Brazen Beau was a wonderful speed racehorse and he suits Australian conditions very well.''
Martin said that while the final decision would be made by Waller, the Inglis Millennium was now a likely target for the colt.
"We're well aware there's a $2m race in February, the Inglis Millennium, and we are now alive in the Inglis Triple Crown for the extra $3m as well, so there are some big decisions to make moving forward,'' Martin said.
"But as I always say, I leave the management of the horse to Chris, and I keep an eye on the people.
"Kudos to Inglis for presenting this race today and the series, I think it's outstanding.
"People who buy horses to offer and share ownerships are most appreciative of incentives of this nature.''
Widden retained a share in the colt, believing he was always going to make it to the top level.
"We had a nice draft at Easter this year, some really lovely horses and this guy was right up there,'' Widden's Antony Thompson said.
"He was popular and we wanted to be a part of his racing journey.
"This is certainly a good start and there's plenty of options ahead now, including of course the Millennium.''
Widden will also offer Accession's Zoustar half brother at the 2019 Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
The Inglis Millennium will be run at Warwick Farm on Saturday February 9, just hours before the start of the Classic Yearling Sale at Riverside Stables.
There are 11 progeny of Brazen Beau catalogued for the Classic Sale, and a further 25 at the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale (Oaklands, March 3-6).
To view the Classic catalogue,CLICK HERE.
To view the Premier catalogue,CLICK HERE.
Accession's trainer Chris Waller received a set of Swarovski Optik EL 32 Swarovision binoculars valued at $2554 for being a winning trainer of an Inglis Race Series event.
Meanwhile Fell Swoop returned to the winners' circle after a series of injuries and setbacks, winning the Listed Razor Sharp Hcp at Randwick.
Fell Swoop (Not A Single Doubt x Touched In Flight) was Inglis' representative in the inaugural The Everest last year and while things didn't go to plan that day for the Matt Dale-trained 7YO, they did today.
Fell Swoop is a $45,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale buy for his trainer, from the Dartbrook Downs draft.
