Lassified streaks to Wellesley Stakes success
Talented filly Lassified (Stay Inside) underlined her stakes credentials with a dominant front-running display to claim Saturday’s Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1100m), first black-type race run at Trentham this season in
Trained by Andrew Forsman, the daughter of Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Stay Inside (Extreme Choice) has shown toughness and versatility throughout her short career, with her trainer not afraid to travel in search of the right opportunities.
After scoring on debut at Tauherenikau, Lassified returned to Trentham last month for the Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr 2, 1100m), where she performed creditably in fourth behind unbeaten filly Lara Antipova (Russian Revolution).
Ridden by Bruno Queiroz for the first time on Saturday, the filly let down stylishly at the 300 metres and kicked clear, and despite the brave efforts of Sweetest Thing (Hello Youmzain) late, she proved too strong, scoring by a half-length at the line. Out Of The Blue (Tivaci) finished a further length behind in third.
A $110,000 purchase from the draft of Glenbeigh Farm by her trainer and Andrew Williams Bloodstock at the 2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Lassified races in Terry Henderson’s OTI Racing silks.
She had been a $70,000 weanling purchase from the draft of Twin Hills Stud by Glenbeigh Farm at the 2024 Inglis Great Southern Sale.
While Lassified is not eligible for the Karaka Millions, Henderson said a trip to Sydney is on the cards, with the filly set to contest the $2 million Inglis Millennium (RL, 1100m) on February 7.
“It’s fantastic for all of the owners in this filly, they’re getting an enormous thrill,” Henderson said.
“We aren’t known for buying these short-course horses, but the Inglis Race Series is such an incredible incentive to get new owners involved in racing, especially the ladies ownership groups with the Pink Bonus.
“She’s now had the three starts in New Zealand for two wins, so the plan is to bring her over to Australia for a possible tilt at the $2 million Inglis Millennium. The prize-money in the Inglis Race Series is such a big carrot in attracting owners to buy shares in racehorses.”
Stable representative Joe Walker was full of praise for the filly’s attitude and professionalism following the win.
“She is so professional, tough and has a great attitude,” Walker said.
“It’s a massive thrill for everyone involved, including OTI and our ladies syndicate, and with a couple of owners on-course today it is very special.
“She has had a couple of big trips to Tauherenikau and twice here. We thought she was very game last time where it didn’t work out for her, but she was as tough as.
“The key was getting her down to the fence today and leading, where she was always going to take some catching.
“It was a case of getting her here in one piece and getting the result, which now opens up a lot of options for her.”
The result saw Lassified become the second individual stakes winner for Newgate Farm’s first-season sire Stay Inside, who stood for a fee of $66,000 (inc GST) in 2025, up from $55,000 in 2024.
She is out of the Listed-winning Nicconi (Bianconi) mare Exclusive Lass, who is also the dam of the Group 2-placed winner Boyfriend (Snitzel) and fellow winners Cape Breton (Vancouver) and Midwest Princess (King’s Legacy).
A Russian Revolution (Snitzel) half-brother to Lassified will be offered as Lot 795 at the 2026 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale on account of Sledmere Stud.
Stay Inside will be represented by 36 yearlings at the upcoming Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.