One to Watch – Benalla

Tara Madgwick - Friday April 27
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.

Marcel from Madrid as a yearlingA $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.




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