Inglis Millennium fancy North England wins trial
North England (Farnan), a leading fancy for next month’s Inglis Millennium (RL, 1100m), returned to the trials on Monday with an easy win in an 800-metre heat at Hawkesbury.
Third in the Breeders’ Plate (Gr 3, 1000m) on debut before winning the Golden Gift (1100m) at Rosehill in November, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained youngster stopped the clock in a time of 46.47 seconds as he beat Fairy Steps (Brazen Beau) by 1.4 lengths.
Bred by Zhongli Thoroughbreds, North England was purchased by Newgate along with China Horse Club, Go Bloodstock and Trilogy for $280,000 at last year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Valiant Stud. He is the third foal out of the city winner Our Belisa (Lope De Vega).
Stablemate Cobra Club (Cool Aza Beel), second in last month’s Inglis Nursery (RL, 1000m) on debut, was also successful at the Hawkesbury trial session, covering the 800 metres in 46.91 seconds as he beat Cada Estrella (Zoustar) by 1.1 lengths.
Darby Racing paid $70,000 for the Emmanuel Bloodstock-bred colt at last year’s Classic sale. He is the third foal out of Venom (So You Think), herself a daughter of the Group 2-placed Listed winner Dorf Command (Commands).
Over at Warwick Farm, Kilbrannan (Pierata), an unraced half-brother to Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Fireburn (Rebel Dane), produced his best effort in three trials to date when bagging a 795-metre heat in 47.59 seconds.
Now in the care of Gary Portelli, the youngster was a $460,000 Inglis Easter buy for Laurel Oak Bloodstock when offered by co-breeder Goodwood Farm last year.
Kilbrannan is the third foal out of Mull Over (So You Think), herself a half-sister to dual Listed winner Galizani (Galileo). He is also a half-brother to Queensland Guineas (Gr 2, 1600m) winner Kintyre (Hallowed Crown).