The
juvenile maiden at Benalla on Friday was won in dominant style by the red hot
favourite, who is a half-brother to Group I ATC Australian Derby winner Levendi.
Trained by Matt Ellerton and Simon Zahra, Sepoy gelding Marcel from Madrid made
it look all too easy when cruising home to win by two and a half lengths on debut
over 1106 metres.
A $58,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase from the Widden Stud draft for
Pacific Bloodstock, Marcel from Madrid is the third winner from three foals to
race from stakes-placed Redoute’s Choice mare Lipari, a daughter of Group I
SAJC Australasian Oaks winner Tully Thunder.
Her best offspring to date is Levendi, who has now gone to the spelling paddock
following a hugely successful season that has seen him rack up five wins and
over $1.6 million in prizemoney.
Lipari was offered at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale last year
where she was purchased for $170,000 by Ollie Tait of Twin Hills Stud in a very
astute move.
She produced a filly by More Than Ready (USA) for her new owner last spring and
Widden Stud sold the current yearling from her, a filly by Sebring, for $500,000
at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale earlier this month.
Marcel from Madrid is the fifth two year-old winner this season for Sepoy, who
has been switched to Darley Victoria this spring and will stand at a fee of $11,000.