Inglis Classic star Shadow Hero gave Sweetbriar Equine a memorable first Australian G1 victory when successful in the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick.
Trained by Mark Newnham – who claimed his first G1 in the corresponding race last year with fellow Classic graduate Maid of Heaven - the outstanding Shadow Hero proved himself in the elite 3YO category, winning the G1 at just his sixth career start.
In doing so the Greg and Donna Kolivos-bred Shadow Hero firmed into a dominant $2.30 TAB favourite for the G1 Victoria Derby at Flemington in three weeks' time.
For Sweetbriar's David Lui – who travelled from Hong Kong for today's race – it was a memorable moment.
"I want to say a sincere thanks to Mark [Newnham], for not just having a plan for this horse but the way he's executed the plan. I'm so happy,'' Lui said.
"This is our first G1 here. I'm lost for words. I'm so happy.
"I remember him at the Classic Sale, we liked him very much because he had a very good attitude, he was extremely relaxed at the sale and he just had scope. He's by Pierro and we love Pierro.
"We'd always aimed for the Derby and he's on track. We'll see how he is after the race and talk to Mark but yes, that is where we will go next.''
Shadow Hero defeated inaugural Inglis Millennium winner Castelvecchio in the Spring Champion, making for a G1 Classic quinella.
Sweetbriar purchased the horse from the Classic Sale for $260,000 from the Newgate Farm draft.
Combined with Super Seth's Caulfield Guineas win today (see earlier press release), the pair become the 35th and 36th individual G1-winning Inglis graduates since 2018, a remarkable feat.
Meanwhile talented 3YO colt Cosmic Force (Deep Field) will likely head to the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes in three weeks following a tough front-running win in the G2 Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick.
For breeder Bob Hannon of Ascot Park – who offered the horse at Inglis Classic - it was a monumental occasion.
"He's a magnificent colt. It was a big win today against some very, very good horses,'' Hannon said.
"He went through the line strongly and we're very pleased.
"Peter and Paul Snowden will work out what happens next but I'd hope he would go to the Coolmore. It's a good horse's race and this bloke is a good horse.''
Cosmic Force, who started favourite in this year's Golden Slipper, is a $180,000 Classic buy for a syndicate made up of Henry Field's Newgate Farm, SF Bloodstock, China Horse Club, Matthew Sandblom, WinStar and Gary Diamond.
And Nettoyer scored a second career Stakes victory when winning the G3 Angst Stakes at Randwick.
The now 6YO mare is a graduate of the Inglis Ready2Race Sale, where his owners John Crowley and Wendy Roche of Chevaux Bloodstock offered her.
Crowley originally purchased her for just $20,000 at Inglis Easter, where she was offered by Nick Hodges' Riversdale Farm.
This year's Ready2Race Sale is at Riverside Stables in 10 days' time, Tuesday October 22.
A final breeze up session will be held at Warwick Farm this coming Friday morning (Oct 18) before a full catalogue parade and complimentary brunch to which all are welcome.
To view the Ready2Race catalogue,CLICK HERE.
Inglis Release
