Inglis graduates stepped out today claiming victories at both the Wagga Cup Carnival in New South Wales and the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival in Victoria, with the late Bede Murray's son Paul continuing a family tradition with smart two year-old Flash Fibian.
For the third time in four years, the Murray racing dynasty claimed the Inglis Bonus 2YO Handicap on the first day of the Wagga Cup Carnival.Flash Fibian (Ready's Image x Langfibian)won the 1200m contest more than doubling his earnings today by scoring an additional $50,000 for his connections.
Claimed by Bede Murray in 2013 with Chosen Song and 2014 with Sure And Fast, this is the first year son Paul has won the $50,000 Inglis Race Series Bonus in his name after Bede's passing earlier this year.
"The Inglis Race Series is fantastic for the owners, keep the bonuses coming!" said Paul Murray.
The son of Ready's Image sat towards the front of the field, before Tye Angland urged him forward at the 200m mark where he strode powerfully to the line winning by two lengths, becoming the eighth consecutive Inglis graduate to take out the race.
One of 12 runners in the race nominated to the Inglis Race Series and eligible for the bonus, Flash Fibian was favoured by punters after winning on the same track over 1000m at his last start, despite carrying 61kg.
"After a good second place in the Black Opal he was going to head to the paddock, but we kept him in work to aim him at his bonus, and spaced his runs to be primed for this contest," said Murray.
"He'll go for a spell now before we look forward to his three-year-old season and getting out to 1400m or further, maybe the Inglis Guineas at Scone next year," Murray added.
Stuart Lamont of Kooringal Stud purchased today's winner in-utero at the 2013 Inglis Broodmare Sale, and foaled him down at his Wagga Wagga farm later that year.
After selling the horse to the late Bede Murray at last year's Classic Yearling Sale for $34,000, Lamont bought back into him for a share after taking a liking to the youngster. The remainder of the ownership consists of his trainer, and a group of Riverina-based owners, many of whom were also involved in the ownership of Sure And Fast and Chosen Song.
Lamont has also recently invested in more of the gelding's family, purchasing his dam's half-sisterBellbird Hill (Lot 653)from Goodwood Farm at this week's Inglis Broodmare Sale.
On the final day of the Warrnambool Carnival, Inglis Easter graduateMaster Of Arts (Mastercraftsman x Petit Verdot)took out the $200,000 Listed Warrnambool Cup over 2350m, marking the third consecutive win in the race for trainer Darren Weir. Master Of Arts was a $110,000 purchase for Waratah Thoroughbreds from the Trelawney Stud draft at the 2013 sale, and today he took his earnings past $230,000 from four wins and four placings from 11 starts.
Book Two of the Inglis Classic Yearling Salewill offer 102 yearlings at Newmarket from 11.00am tomorrow, Friday 6 May. Catalogues are available from reception, or online atinglis.com.au, and theInglis Sales iPad App.
The next Inglis Race Series event will be for Scone graduates in the $100,000 2YO Inglis Challenge over 1100m on the first day of the Scone Cup Carnival, Friday 13 May.
All yearlings sold or passed in at Inglis Select Yearling Sales are eligible for nomination to the lucrative$5 million Inglis Race Series. Nominations close on 31 July2016,CLICK HEREto download the nomination form.
Inglis Release
