The $2m Inglis Millennium is at the forefront of connections’ minds with star filly Saltaire (Star Turn) following her tenacious victory in the $500,000 Listed Inglis Nursery at Randwick.
The John O’Shea-trained Saltaire was having just her second career start, having finished a narrow second behind Blanc De Blanc on debut a fortnight ago.
It proved to be the right form race for the Nursery, with Blanc De Blanc finishing third in today’s juvenile feature, which has thrown up past winners including Extreme Choice, She Will Reign, Mossfun and Wild Ruler.
Facile – the Trapeze Artist filly that had won two trials impressively ahead of the Nursery and was sent out an even money favourite today as a result – split the pair in second place.
Bred by Bernard and Lawrence Stapleton, Saltaire (pictured, outside) will now enjoy a short spell, according to O’Shea, before targeting the Millennium at Randwick on February 11.
“It’s the obvious way to go, the money through this Inglis Race Series is just too good to ignore, plus some of the Millennium prizemoney counts toward Slipper qualification so that’s the plan for now,’’ an elated O’Shea said.
“She’s a lovely filly but I really can’t take any credit for her. Mick Malone from Kitchwin Hills found her and bought her and then Max [Whitby] and Neil [Werrett] were involved obviously and I ended up with the pleasure of training her.
“She’s always shown us she had plenty of ability and to be winning a $500,000 Stakes race at her second start, it’s just so rewarding for everybody involved.’’
O’Shea also received a pair of Swarovski Optik binoculars for being the trainer of an Inglis Race Series winner.
Mick Malone purchased Saltaire for $140,000 at this year’s Classic Yearling Sale at Riverside, where she was offered by Vinery Stud.
“I’m a fan of Star Turn and when I saw this filly out of a Testa Rossa mare, she just ticked a lot of boxes for us,’’ Malone said.
“It’s all roads to the Millennium now, that’s the one we want next.’’
Today’s result was extra special for Werrett – of Black Caviar fame – as he shares part-ownership of Saltaire’s sire, Star Turn.
“I really think Star Turn is developing into a top quality stallion and the next few seasons for him are going to be huge,’’ Werrett said.
“Saltaire has a big future ahead of her, she had to fight hard to win that race today but she never gave in and that’s the sign of a nice filly moving forward.’’
While the connections of Saltaire picked up a $287,000 first prize cheque, the connections of second placegetter Facile took home even more money thanks to the Inglis Pink Bonus.
For being the first eligible Pink Bonus runner to finish the race, Facile earned her owners – among them Loretta Fung, Kylie Hunt and Julia Davis - not only the $94,000 second place cheque but also the $200,000 Inglis Pink Bonus.
Facile’s co-trainer Gerald Ryan was proud of his filly’s effort.
“It was her first start, she’ll come on a lot from that and the future is bright for her,’’ Ryan said.
“The Pink Bonus is great for the connections. With the second-place cheque on top, they’ve gone a long way to paying the filly’s purchase price (of $420,0000) off in one race start.
“The Millennium is the target for her now – there’s a $400,000 Pink Bonus in that race and the girls want it!’’
In Brisbane today, the Tony Gollan-trained Sneaky Five secured a third Stakes win – and fourth career win at just start No.9 – with victory in the Listed Bribie Handicap at Eagle Farm.
It took her earnings to $1.16m – Sneaky Five is a $305,000 Premier Yearling Sale buy for Rosemont Stud from the draft of Goldin Farms, who bred the mare.
