Inglis Australian Weanling Sale catalogue now online

Weanlings by more than 100 stallions headline a deep and diverse catalogue for this year’s Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, which will take place at Riverside on May 5-6.

A total of 500 lots have been catalogued for the sale, which opens the Inglis Breeding Stock Sales Series ahead of The Chairman’s Sale on May 7.

The vendor bench is again a major feature, with 48 operations set to offer stock, including many of Australia’s leading breeders such as Coolmore, Newgate, Widden, Segenhoe, Yarraman, Vinery, Kia Ora, Lime Country and Cressfield.

The catalogue is complemented by a wide spread of established and emerging stallions, with progeny of I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice), Zoustar (Northern Meteor), Frankel (Galileo), Home Affairs (I Am Invincible), Anamoe (Street Boss), Street Boss (Street Cry), Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj), Sword Of State (Snitzel) and Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon) among those on offer.

First-crop representation also provides a key point of interest, with weanlings by recent retirees including Shinzo (Snitzel), Mo’unga (Savabeel), Native Trail (Oasis Dream), Cylinder (Exceed And Excel), Ozzmosis (Zoustar) and Don Corleone (Extreme Choice) featuring.

Inglis Bloodstock chief executive Sebastian Hutch said the sale continues to build momentum across multiple sectors of the market.

“The Inglis Weanling Sales Series has been a fruitful market for buyers at all levels for a number of years, whether they are hobbyists, traders or end users,” Hutch said.

“We have worked to upgrade both the quantity and quality of stock in recent years and that has been reflected in improved results.”

Recent graduates of the sale include Group 1 winners Hayasugi (Royal Meeting) and Kimochi (Brave Smash), as well as stakes performers such as Straight Charge (Written By), Shiki (Too Darn Hot), Hard Kick (All Too Hard) and Field Of Play (Deep Field).

Among the catalogue highlights are a Shinzo three quarter-sibling to Group 2 scorer Splintex (Snitzel) (Lot 145), a Snitzel filly out of Listed winner Chassis (Al Maher) (Lot 201), a Harry Angel (Dark Angel) half-brother to Hayasugi (Lot 203) and a Wootton Bassett half-brother to Classic winner Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) (Lot 398).

All lots offered are eligible for the Inglis Race Series, which includes the $2 million Inglis Millennium and the $5 million Xtra Bonus Series. To view the Australian Weanling Sale catalogue click here.

Yulong purchase Blue Diamond winner Streisand and Paradoxium

Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Streisand (Magnus) will race in Yulong’s colours in Saturday’s ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Randwick following a deal struck this week. Trainer Clinton McDonald confirmed the sale on Tuesday, with the filly to remain in his care. She has pleased connections since her Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) runner-up performance behind Guest House (Home Affairs), and will step up to 1400 metres for the first time this weekend. “She's come through the run extremely well and continues to please us,” McDonald told Racing.com. Ben Melham partnered the filly in a piece of work at Randwick on Tuesday morning, with connections satisfied with her condition heading into the assignment. Yulong has also secured Paradoxium (Extreme Choice), who will join Streisand in the Sires’ Produce. The Bjorn Baker-trained Todman Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) winner finished down the field in the Slipper but is set to head for Saturday’s Group 1 contest.

Observer bidding for Derby double

Ciaron Maher is chasing a rare staying double with Observer (Ghaiyyath), who will attempt to add the Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) at Randwick to his Victoria Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) success on Saturday. The feat has only been achieved twice in recent seasons, with Hitotsu (Maurice) completing the double for Maher in 2021-22 and Riff Rocket (American Pharoah) following suit for Chris Waller in 2023-24. Maher acknowledged the challenge but said Observer had continued to progress through his preparation and was well placed stepping back up in trip following his third placing in the Rosehill Guineas (Gr 1, 2000m) to Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun). “It’s hard to get them to peak for two Derbies, but we’ve done it before,” Maher said. “He came through his last run really well and he’s ticking over nicely. Back up to the trip, that’s what he’s bred for.” Like Hitotsu, Observer also claimed the Australian Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) at Flemington earlier in his preparation, though Maher opted to give the colt an additional run at 2000 metres rather than go straight to the Derby. Maher felt the Rosehill Guineas effort was better than it may have appeared on paper, suggesting the tempo did not fully suit. “He rallied well and was strong through the line. I wouldn’t read too much into that run,” he said. James McDonald takes over in the saddle on Saturday, replacing Craig Williams, with Observer to jump from barrier 12 in the 13-horse field.

Cumani hoping for Derby upset with Deal Done Fast

Matt Cumani believes lightly raced colt Deal Done Fast (Dundeel) has the profile to defy history and break his maiden in Saturday’s Australian Derby at Randwick. A maiden has not claimed the race since Ethiopia (Helenus) in 2012, but Cumani said his three-year-old has continued to mature since finishing third in last spring’s Victoria Derby and is ready to peak at the trip. “He’s a very up-and-about colt, very boisterous, but manageable like a lot of Dundeels,” Cumani told Racing NSW. “He’s improving and growing up, and hopefully it’s all coming together at the right time.” The son of Dundeel (High Chaparral) will be having his seventh start in the $2 million feature and lines up following a midfield finish in the Rosehill Guineas, where Cumani felt circumstances worked against him. “He was stuck on the rails and had to check at a crucial stage when they increased the tempo,” he said. “Through the line he was strong and closing quickly, which bodes well stepping up in distance.” Cumani was pleased with barrier eight for Saturday’s assignment, believing it will allow jockey Damian Lane to keep the colt in clear running – a key factor given his racing style. “I think it’s a perfect draw for him because he wants a bit of room,” he said. “Being on the outside of horses will help him.”

Sheza Alibi still well fancied in market despite wide draw

Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior) remains the $2.10 favourite for Saturday’s Doncaster Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) at Randwick following Tuesday’s barrier draw, despite easing slightly in the market. The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained filly drew gate 13, while key rival Autumn Boy firmed from $6 into $5 after coming up with the inside barrier, a factor TAB spokesman Tim Ryan said had influenced the shift. “I’ve eased Sheza Alibi slightly to $2.10, not because of her draw, but because Autumn Boy has the rails,” Ryan said. “He’s likely to settle in front of her, but Sheza Alibi remains very popular with punters.” More than 70 per cent of all-in betting has been on Sheza Alibi, who is chasing a rare win for a three-year-old filly in the handicap feature. No filly has started shorter in the modern era than Sunline (Desert Sun), who won as a $2.10 chance in 1999, while the last odds-on filly winner was Valicare (Valais) in 1926. History suggests wider draws are no disadvantage given 16 of the past 30 winners have jumped from barrier ten or wider. Moody downplayed concerns, confident the Randwick Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner can settle comfortably in running. “She can land midfield, three-deep with cover,” he said. “She’s done really well since her last run and we’re very pleased with her.” A field of 16 has been assembled, with fellow three-year-olds Sixties (Flying Artie) ($13) and Attica (Lonhro) ($15) also prominent in betting.

T J Smith for fresh Overpass

Bjorn Baker is confident evergreen sprinter Overpass (Vancouver) is ready to fire fresh when he lines up in Saturday’s T J Smith Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at Randwick. The seven-year-old will bypass a return to Perth’s The Quokka (1200m), instead having a third crack at the $3 million feature after finishing fifth behind Nature Strip (Nicconi) in 2022 and runner-up to Briasa (Smart Missile) last year. Overpass boasts a strong first-up profile, with four wins and four placings from ten attempts and Baker has tailored his preparation accordingly, ensuring the gelding is forward enough for the assignment. “He’s in really good order. As we know, he’s great first-up,” Baker said. The son of Vancouver (Medaglia D'Oro) has been given two solid trials, including a recent 1050-metre hit-out where he was ridden out to build fitness, with Baker mindful the veteran now requires a more searching preparation. “As he gets older, stronger and bigger every preparation, we’ve got to make sure he’s that little bit fitter and we do that touch more,” he said. Overpass, who has earned over $12 million, prefers a firmer surface, though the gelding has shown he can handle some give. “The firmer the track, probably the better, but he can get through a soft track as well,” Baker said.

Zahra expects big efforts from Tentyris and Jimmysstar

Mark Zahra is backing three-year-old Tentyris (Street Boss) to return to form in Saturday’s T J Smith Stakes at Randwick. Zahra partners the Godolphin colt from barrier one after he finished fifth under 57.5 kilograms in the Newmarket Handicap (Gr 1, 1200m) at Flemington last start, and believes Sydney presents a test that the colt is capable of meeting. “He’s beaten older horses before [in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes], but going to Sydney to take on the best is a challenge,” Zahra told Racing.com. “I reckon he’s up to it.” The Freedman-trained colt typically settles off the speed and Zahra indicated his early positioning will be key. “All his wins have come from back, so we just need to make sure we’re not giving them too big a start,” he said. “If we can land in a spot, he’ll be finishing off.” Tentyris has had a recent trial in Sydney to familiarise with conditions, pleasing Zahra in his work. “He cornered fine and was motoring through the line nicely,” he said. Zahra was also forgiving of Jimmysstar’s (Per Incanto) unplaced effort in the William Reid Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m), where he endured a difficult run from the inside. “It was a forgive run. The set-up was against him and I think any horse would have struggled in that position,” he said. “My gut feel is he’ll bounce back.” Jimmysstar again draws low in barrier two, while Tentyris will jump from the inside gate in the nine-horse field. Track conditions remain a query for Tentyris, though Zahra said the colt handled softer ground adequately in a recent trial. “A horse with his turn of foot would prefer it drier, but I wouldn’t rule him out either way,” he said.

Benagil to have Easter Cup task

Flemington trainer Glen Thompson is expecting improvement from Benagil (Manhattan Rain) as she steps back up to 2000 metres in Saturday’s Easter Cup (Gr 3, 2000m) at Caulfield. The mare will be having her fourth run this preparation and, while yet to place this campaign, Thompson believes her recent performances have been encouraging, particularly her closing effort when eighth in the Sunline Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) at Caulfield last start. “I thought her run the other day was great,” Thompson said. “She was back last and her sectionals were among the best of the race.” A Group 1 winner over 2000 metres as a three-year-old in the Australasian Oaks (Gr 1, 2000m), Benagil has also been placed at the elite level at up to 2200 metres, giving Thompson confidence that a return to a staying trip will suit. “We should see an improved run,” he said. Looking beyond Saturday, Thompson outlined a clear path through the autumn, with the Mornington Cup (Listed, 2400m) on April 18 a likely next target. Victory there would secure a ballot exemption into the Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) later in the year. “At this stage she’ll go Easter Cup, then Mornington Cup,” Thompson said. “If she can win that, she can go to the paddock and be set for the spring.”

Group 1 winner Baraqiel retired

Group 1-winning sprinter Baraqiel (Snitzel) has been retired after sustaining a sesamoid injury in the William Reid Stakes at Caulfield on March 21. The decision was confirmed by Bennett Racing, with connections opting against surgery in favour of safeguarding the seven-year-old’s long-term wellbeing. “We thought the best option was to avoid surgery and give him a good quality of life,” connections told Racing.com. “He’s been a warhorse for us and deserves that.” Trained by Troy Corstens and Will Larkin, Baraqiel was a standout performer despite a stop-start career, winning eight of his 15 starts. His career highlight came with victory in the Moir Stakes (Gr 1, 1000m) last spring. Corstens described the decision as an emotional one, with multiple veterinary opinions sought before retiring the gelding. “He’s been such a special horse for the stable and connections,” Corstens said. “I would never put the horse at risk. If something went wrong, I’d never forgive myself.” Baraqiel overcame a series of setbacks throughout his career, only making his debut as a five-year-old, but quickly established himself as a high-class sprinter with a strong will to compete. “He was tough. I wish every horse in our stable had his will to try,” Corstens added.

TBA welcomes RA's Foal Ownership Declarations decision

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) has welcomed Racing Australia’s (RA) decision to introduce an amnesty on outstanding Foal Ownership Declarations (FODs) for the 2024 and 2025 foal crops. The amnesty provides breeders with a two-week window to lodge overdue declarations, with a deadline of 5.30pm AEST on April 14, ensuring affected horses remain eligible to race. The measure applies to all outstanding FODs, including those currently under appeal, those yet to be appealed and those where appeals have been unsuccessful. Horses will not be subject to embargo provided declarations are submitted within the timeframe. TBA chief executive Andrew Hore-Lacy said the decision reflects a more practical approach to resolving what have largely been administrative issues. “This is a positive step from Racing Australia and we welcome the sensible decision to resolve these cases,” he said. The amnesty is expected to provide relief for breeders facing uncertainty over the racing futures of affected horses, many of which represent significant investment and long-term planning. TBA has urged breeders to review their records and ensure all outstanding declarations are completed before the deadline, with the industry body now focused on achieving full compliance within the window. Hore-Lacy added that TBA would continue working with Racing Australia on longer-term improvements to the FOD system, including enhancements to the underlying technology ahead of the upcoming breeding season.

Hayley all set for Southern Guineas challenge

Star southern filly Hello Hayley (Hello Youmzain) is on target to become the first horse in two decades to complete the Southern 3YO Guineas Triple Crown in the rescheduled Gore Guineas (Listed, 1200m) at Riverton on Saturday. Hello Hayley was the winner of one of her five starts ahead of the originally scheduled Gore Guineas on February 1, only for the meeting to be abandoned when a horse slipped in the opening race. The daughter of Hello Youmzain (Kodiac) has made massive strides in her two starts since, winning the Southland Guineas (Listed, 1400m) at Ascot Park in mid-February and completing a stakes double two weeks later in the Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1600m) at Wingatui. With the reduction in distance from 1335 metres to 1200 metres for the rescheduled Gore Guineas, Hallo Hayley’s Winton-based trainer Sophie Price made the logical decision to freshen her in the intervening five weeks. “Everything has gone to plan, she’s freshened up well, although looking at the entries it won’t be easy, there are some decent horses in against her and plenty of them,” Price said. “The track is rated Heavy 8, but I’m hoping it improves on that ahead of the weekend. All her wins have been on slow-rated ground, but I suppose if it does stay in that heavy range it will make it more of a test and that shouldn’t worry her.”

Kneebone kicking goals early in training career

Nick Kneebone has hit the ground running in his first full season of training, highlighted by his first Group 1 result last weekend when Speed Demon (Yes Yes Yes) ran home well to finish third in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Trentham. The son of Yes Yes Yes (Rubick) had won one of his previous four starts, and while confident of a bold showing in Saturday’s juvenile feature, Kneebone was rapt to see Speed Demon belie the racing pattern of the day when roaring home from the rear of the pack to capture black-type. “I am absolutely thrilled,” Kneebone said. “I was quite confident, I thought he would run top five and he went a bit better than that, so I was really happy. I didn’t even expect to have a runner in a Group 1 let alone place in one, it is massive. We are only a small team, so I must be doing something right.” Kneebone said the day was made even more special by his Sydney-based parents, Mike and Adele, being trackside. “Mum and Dad were there, they flew over from Sydney and they were just as thrilled as I was,” Kneebone said. “It was awesome to have them there.” Kneebone, the son of New Zealand Bloodstock's director of business development Mike Kneebone, established a 20-box barn in Cambridge last year and is enjoying being back in his homeland after spending the majority of his life in Singapore and Australia. “I was born here, so it has always been home,” he said. “I spent a lot of time in Singapore, where I went to school, and then I moved to Australia when I was 18 and I was with John Sargent for about seven or eight years, and with Jim and Greg Lee at Randwick. I have been away from home for a little while, but it is really good to be back.”

HK: Frankie Lor loads up as apprentice Nichola Yuen debuts at Sha Tin

Frankie Lor led last season’s dirt course standings with ten wins and, on Wednesday night at Sha Tin, the trainer is represented by a formidable outfit in seven of the nine races as apprentice Nichola Yuen makes her debut in Hong Kong with five rides. Lor has only one dirt track win this campaign but will aim to rectify that at the mid-week all-dirt programme when the lightly raced One Man Show (Showtime) tackles the first section of the Class 4 Ma Tau Wai Handicap (1200m). “I put Zac Purton on last start, but then he drew barrier 12. But I do think he can win a race in Class 4,” Lor said. “He goes to Conghua regularly because he can be a bit nervous in Hong Kong, so it relaxes him.” One Man Show is to be ridden by Purton again in search of a first win from barrier two. Lor and the championship-leading jockey also team with four-time dirt winner Never Peter Out (Grunt), who steps from gate one in the Class 4 Nam Shan Handicap (1650m). “Last start he went to the lead, and maybe that was not suitable for him. I’ll ask the jockey to sit midfield this time or at least with some cover, which should be better. I think he can win another race at this level,” Lor said. Two wins last Sunday lifted Lor’s tally this term to 31. Meanwhile, Yuen, who will experience Hong Kong racing for the first time after overseas training, rides Fun N Fun Together (Charm Spirit) for Lor in the third section of the Class 4 Ma Tau Wai Handicap (1200m). Yuen said: “I’m really excited to have the opportunity to ride on the biggest stage in the world. It’s really huge for me to be riding with all of the best jockeys in the world. There’s got to be some pressure, but I’ve just got to learn to deal with it.”