Two starts, two wins and $1.2million is a great start to a racehorse’s career, which is exactly what Too Darn Hot juvenile Rivellino achieved when winning the $2million Inglis Millennium (RL) at Randwick on Saturday.
Rivellino winning the Inglis Millennium. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au
Having made a winning debut at Randwick on January 4, trainer Kris Lees brought his colt from Newcastle to Randwick to barrier trial on January 28 in an effort to convince James McDonald to take the ride in the Millennium.
The plan proved a success with McDonald taking the ride and giving his mount a lovely run throughout before finding the line strongly to beat Within The Law (Lucky Vega) by half a length, with Artistic Venture (Trapeze Artist) third.
“He’s a lovely colt. I trained the mother, that’s often a bit of start when you go to a sale,” said Lees.
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“He’s just a horse that’s continued to improve since we’ve had him in work. Each trial to race he’s just continued to go the right way.
“He’s got a lot of upside.
“I could see him in a Slipper for sure off that.”
If the Slipper plan is to come to fruition however he’ll definitely need another win, and as it stands, another rider.
The Inglis Millennium prizemoney won’t count towards the Golden Slipper, and McDonald is committed to the current favourite Wodeton.
Purchased for $180,000 by Lees Racing / Bahen Bloodstock from Lime Country Thoroughbreds, Rivellino runs for a big syndicate of stable clients that includes his breeders and was foaled and raised at Segenhoe.
He is the second foal and first winner from good metro winning So You Think mare Intrinsic, a daughter of multiple Group placed mare Vecchia Roma.
Intrinsic had a colt foal last year by State of Rest (IRE) and is now in foal to Pride of Dubai.
Too Darn Hot has been darn hot from the get go in Australia, and sired a two state stakes double on Saturday, with Arabian Summer winning in Melbourne, and is roaring away with the second season prizemoney and winners titles.
