With arguably some of the best Weight-For-Age form in the Group 2 MVRC Australia Stakes field, Inglis Classic graduate Mourinho (Oratorio (IRE) x Benevolent) surprisingly started one of the outsiders of the field, but was simply too good, securing his fourth black type victory.
Never having won below 1500m and needing to survive a protest from the runner-up, Mourinho’s victory over 1200m was a remarkable performance for the graduate of the Bathurst-based farm Little Wych.
A late nomination for the race, Mourinho settled in a handy position with jockey Vlad Duric following the rail throughout and as the leaders rolled off on the home turn, he seized his opportunity and urged his mount through to hold off the late charge of the runner-up to record his first win at Group 2 level.
Purchased by part owner Mr Tartaglione for $36,000 in 2009, the Moonee Valley victory took his career earnings soaring past the $800,000 mark for trainer Peter Gelagotis and the ecstatic connections.
Gelagotis hatched a plan some seven weeks prior to have Mourinho start first-up in the Group 2 Australia Stakes after a barrier trial with his next run being the Group Two Peter Young Stakes before his ultimate aim this campaign being the Group 1 Australian Cup.
Continuing the trend of first season sires at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Mourinho was from the first Australian-bred crop of Oratorio (IRE) and with almost 40% of the 2015 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale Summer Book being made up of the progeny of both first and second season sires, it’s a huge positive for buyers aiming to capitalise on Classic’s first-rate success at producing high-class stakes winners by young, unproven stallions.
The 2015 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale Summer Book commences on Sunday February 8 and the catalogue can be viewed here or can be downloaded via the Inglis Sales iPad App.
Twenty minutes after Mourinho’s victory, Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale graduate Ninth Legion (Fastnet Rock x Xaar’s Jewel), who was also racing first-up this campaign, produced a rails hugging performance to claim the ATC Listed Carrington Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick.
Purchased from the draft of Edinglassie Stud at the 2011 sale for $110,000, the Segenhoe Stud-raced Fastnet Rock gelding held a three-quarter length margin over fellow Inglis Easter graduate That’s A Good Idea, whose Foxwedge half-brother will be offered as Lot 215 at the 2015 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Rosemont Stud.
Ridden by James McDonald, the effort of his mount had impressed the leading jockey who had ridden four winners on the day.
“It was quick from the get go,” McDonald said.
“The ace barrier definitely helped because it was easy to follow the fence.
“He was big in his recent trial and has come on quickly from there and he raced very well today (Saturday).”
One of 73 stakes winners by his Champion Sire, the Inglis Easter graduate Fastnet Rock will be represented by 57 yearlings at the 2015 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
– Inglis
