Held over 1100m at Royal Randwick, the $2m Inglis Millennium is the second-richest juvenile race on turf behind none other than the Longines Golden Slipper. The race is restricted to horses sold through an Inglis sale ring.
This year’s running has brought together a full-size 16 horse field, all of which are looking for a slice of the substantial prize money on offer. Although the race has only been on the calendar since 2019, the winners list is not shy on talent. The first running was taken out by star colt Castelvecchio who went on to win two Group 1s and finish runner up in a Cox Plate, whilst last year’s race was taken out by the Price/ Kent speedster Profiteer.
Looking at the market for this year’s feature, Sportsbet has the Snowden trained Miss Dior favourite at $4 just ahead of Breeders Plate winner Sejardan at $4.20. Boldinho has been well backed and is currently $5.50, whilst the Maher/ Eustace trained El Padrino rounds out those under double figures at $7.50.
However, we know with horse racing that anything can happen and the race doesn’t stop there. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you! Read on below to find out runner by runner preview of the 2022 Inglis Millennium along with The Shark’s best tips.
1. Sejardan (9) – $4.20
Jockey – Jason Collett
Trainer – Gary Portelli
Resumes here off a short spell. Got back and hit the line strongly to win both his starts last prep including the $1m Golden Gift. His recent trial in preparation for this was only fair to the eye but they don’t pay for winning trials. He’s a big scopey colt with plenty of natural ability and should be hitting the line hard once again.
Mini Sejardan. 🏃
Can’t wait to see him back in action on Saturday in the @inglis_sales Millennium.@MiddlebrookStud @GaryPortelli pic.twitter.com/S9hQg8Jrn8
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 2, 2022
2. El Padrino (8) – $7.50
Jockey – Jamie Kah
Trainer – Cairon Maher & David Eustace
Debuted on a bog track at Cranbourne where he found one better. Was then sent north where he sat wide without cover on the speed and was too strong for his rivals in the Inglis Nursery. Eight weeks between runs but won a trial in good fashion last week. Melbourne’s golden girl Jamie Kah is booked. Has to be respected.
3. Calgary Stampede (5) – $21
Jockey – Tommy Berry
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden
Won a maiden at Rosehill on debut before finishing a close 2nd to the above horse El Padrino, in the Inglis Nursery back in December. Has also had a trial in preparation for this where he wasn’t knocked around. Drawn well but will need to find a couple of lengths to be winning.
4. Sweet Ride (2) – $27
Jockey – Jean Van Overmeire
Trainer – Annabel Neasham
Jumped well and led them up on debut when scoring at Rosehill three weeks ago. On that occasion he was able to get a couple of cheap sectionals mid race and kick away upon straightening. Find it hard to see him getting that luxury here and the third horse has since raced only fairly last Saturday. In saying that, no knock on his debut win. Rough place hope.
5. Athletica (11) – $26
Jockey – Tim Clark
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Showed good gate speed to lead them up on debut in the Inglis Nursery. Was run down late on that occasion by a couple of horses in this field. The wide draw and average trial leading into this suggest he may struggle here.
6. Boldinho (4) – $5.50
Jockey – Hugh Bowman
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Finished a strong 2nd on debut at Caulfield, in the Merson Cooper Stakes behind Ebhaar. He was then sent out a short priced favourite in the Inglis Nursery where he never saw daylight in the straight and went to the line under a half nelson. His trial a fortnight ago was very pleasing and with a better steer from Bowman, he looks very hard to beat.
7. Pomade (14) – $34
Jockey – Regan Bayliss
Trainer – Kris Lees
Stepped out at Doomben a fortnight ago where he got the chocolates in what looked a moderate race. He was very green on that occasion and the gate makes things hard for him here. Happy to leave him out.
8. Zambezi River (12) – $11
Jockey – Josh Parr
Trainer – Chris Waller
Set the owners back $1.15m at the 2021 Inglis Yearling Sales and it’s fair to say looking at his only start to date, he may not be a bad buy. The run I speak of is his strong 2nd in the Breeders Plate behind the well fancied Sejardan, where he didn’t have much luck in the straight. Has had the benefit of two trials leading into this and has to be considered.
JUST IN: Check out the final field and barriers for Saturday’s $2m Inglis Millennium at Randwick. Who will join Castelvecchio, Prime Star and Profiteer on the honour roll? 👇 pic.twitter.com/nP7BuEHeZo
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) January 31, 2022
9. Emperor (6) – $19
Jockey – Kerrin McEvoy
Trainer – Matthew Dunn
Well bred colt who held on well to finish 3rd on debut after working hard in the Breeders Plate behind Sejardan. Resumed at Randwick a fortnight ago where he was ridden cold and made good late ground. His condition seemed to give out the last 100m of that race and he may well be peaking fitness wise here. Could definitely entertain him in multiples.
10. The Wizard King (3) – $151
Jockey – Sam Clipperton
Trainer – Shawn Mathrick
Victorian visitor who has been well held on both runs down there. Hard to see him troubling these on what we’ve seen to date.
11. Fire and Ice (16) – $61
Jockey – Tom Sherry
Trainer – Mark Minervini
Wasn’t far away on debut a fortnight ago at Randwick. In saying that would need to improve and the outside barrier doesn’t help his chances.
12. Vaderzan (1) – $67
Jockey – Rachel King
Trainer – Gary Portelli
Was well held on debut behind Paris Dior before heading to Canberra and again being safely held. He was held up at a vital stage there but still showed little once out. Would need to improve and improve sharply to be winning here.
13. Russian Assassin (17) – $201
Jockey – Jay Ford
Trainer – Lauri Parker
Well bred colt who has only been fair in two recent trials. Draws the car park on debut here and looks like he’ll go around cricket score odds. Happy to leave out.
14. Paris Dior (10) – $4.00
Jockey – James McDonald
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden
The first of the fillies in the field and a smart one at that. Was very good on debut in December when she hammered the line to finish 2nd to Man in the Mirror. She then sat outside the leader and blew them away at Canterbury a month ago. We haven’t seen her since then but going off what she’s done, she looks one of the main winning chances.
Inglis Millennium | Who are you with? 🗣 pic.twitter.com/RrBTX9ztgc
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 1, 2022
15. Xtravagant Star (7) – $15
Jockey – Chad Schofield
Trainer – Tony & Calvin McEvoy
Held on narrowly on debut at Geelong defeating Eros. Runner-up has since again been rolled as an odds on favourite at Moonee Valley. In saying that has trialled well here in Sydney last week and has drawn well. Each way claims.
16. The Seven Seas (15) – $126
Jockey – Robbie Dolan
Trainer – John Sargent
Battled away ok after covering ground on debut in the Inglis Nursery back in December. Has recently trialled well. If she drew an alley she probably halves her starting price but it’s hard to see her in the winners stall from 15.
17e. Nipotino (13) – $126 (Scratched)
Jockey – Brock Ryan
Trainer – John Thompson
The lone emergency of the field and in my opinion not the worst. Had no luck on debut in the Breeders Plate where he was wide and snagged back before hitting the line well the last 100m. His recent trial was good and if he happens to gain a start he could give some cheek at odds.
Final Word
This year’s Inglis Millennium looks like a very competitive race on paper with no real standouts. The race looks to have a lot of early speed and providing there is no track bias I believe the winner could come from off the pace. It’s hard to knock the winning form Sejardan brings to the races here along with that of the favourite Miss Diors.
Boldinho maps perfectly for mine from barrier 4 and it’s hard to see Bowman getting caught out again, as he did last time when the horse never got a crack at his rivals. Not sure the horse is on the same wavelength as stable mate Coolangatta, but at the same time I don’t think he has to be to win this race.
There continues to be support for the @cmaherracing-Eustace pair in the Inglis Millenium!
El Padrino $15 – $9
Boldinho $11 – $6.50 pic.twitter.com/PbEeRik6Es— TAB (@tabcomau) February 2, 2022
Of those at odds, I thought Emperor would improve off his first up performance where he just seemed to run out of condition late in the race. His trial prior to that run was very good and he’s drawn to get a good sit off the pace here.
In conclusion, I found it hard to split Boldinho and Miss Dior. Although the race has only been around for three years prior to this year’s running, we’ve never seen a filly win the race. With that in mind and the better barrier and map, I will go with Boldinho on top and hope Hughey produces one of his best.
Best Inglis Millennium Tip: 6 Boldinho – Each Way ($5.50/$2.10)
Next Best: 1, 6, 8, 9, 14 Boxed Trifecta ($60 for 100%)
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our Inglis Millennium page for all your punting needs!
*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Sportsbet.
