Tony McEvoy described the stable’s autumn options with progressive filly Xtravagant Star as “beautiful” following her impressive victory in Syndey’s $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Royal Randwick.
$2 million Inglis Millennium winner Xtravagant Star will target either the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes or Golden Slipper this autumn. Photo: Steve Hart.
The punters came in a big way on the day for the nicely-bred daughter of Xtravagant and she did not disappoint, displaying a scintillating turn of foot to easily for her fellow two-year-olds in the lucrative feature.
The bonny black filly is now two-from-two having come off a fighting and narrow victory on debut at Geelong a month ago to defeat the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained favourite Paris Dior by one and a half-lengths in the Inglis Millennium results.
“She’s a really good filly,” her co-trainer told Thoroughbred Central after the win.
“She always showed us a bit of talent. We went to that race at Geelong pretty confident, she had to fight to win and showed that she’s got speed and is tough.
“We’re so excited for her to come away her first trip away from home, and the way she’s handled herself is just magnificent, a big thrill.
“She’s a quality, quality filly.”
Jockey Chad Schofield came aboard for the ride and, after jumping well, got the eventual winner to settle in third as Athletica rolled up on the outside of Sweet Ride to lead.
Showing an excellent high cruising speed, Xtravagant Star relaxed outside the pace and responded phenomenally when Schofield asked her to go.
She ran the 1100m right out on top of the speed and was too good the closing stages repaying a well-executed training performance from Tony & Calvin McEvoy.
In third rounding out the Inglis Millennium trifecta was the Gary Portelli-trained Sejardan.
Xtravagant Star is bound for a Group 1 run this campaign, but whether that is in Melbourne or Sydney is yet to be confirmed.
“We’ve got some beautiful decisions to make,” McEvoy said.
“We can go to the (Blue) Diamond in three weeks or we can just concentrate on the (Golden) Slipper, it’s a bit hard to do both I think.
“But I think we just enjoy today and make a few decisions in the coming weeks.
“I’m liking her more and more.”
The Group 1 $1.5 million Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) runs at Caulfield Racecourse on February 26, while the Group 1 $5 million Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) is held at Rosehill Gardens on March 19.
The latest all-in 2022 Blue Diamond Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au – available in full here – have Xtravagant Star listed at $15.
Futures Golden Slipper 2022 betting markets – available in full here – have her at a slightly longer quote of $18.
Lyre (2019) was the last Blue Diamond Stakes winning filly, while the girls also finished on top in that year’s Golden Slipper with the win by Kiamichi.
2022 Inglis Millennium Results & Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 | XTRAVAGANT STAR | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Chad Schofield | 7 | 54.5kg | $7 | |||
| 2 | 14 | PARIS DIOR | Peter & Paul Snowden | James McDonald | 1.65L | 10 | 54.5kg | $3.30F | ||
| 3 | 1 | SEJARDAN | Gary Portelli | Jason Collett | 1.7L | 9 | 56.5kg | $6 | ||
| 4 | 2 | EL PADRINO | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Ms Jamie Kah | 3.36L | 8 | 56.5kg | $8.50 | ||
| 5 | 4 | SWEET RIDE | Annabel Neasham | Jean Van Overmeire | 4.02L | 2 | 56.5kg | $31 | ||
| 6 | 5 | ATHLETICA | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 5.21L | 11 | 56.5kg | $21 | ||
| 7 | 16 | THE SEVEN SEAS | John Sargent | Robbie Dolan | 5.28L | 14 | 54.5kg | $81 | ||
| 8 | 11 | FIRE AND ICE | Mark Minervini | Tom Sherry (a) | 5.3L | 15 | 56.5kg | $81 | ||
| 9 | 9 | EMPEROR | Matthew Dunn | Kerrin McEvoy | 5.79L | 6 | 56.5kg | $26 | ||
| 10 | 3 | CALGARY STAMPEDE | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tommy Berry | 6.15L | 5 | 56.5kg | $17 | ||
| 11 | 12 | VADERZAN | Gary Portelli | Ms Rachel King | 7.44L | 1 | 56.5kg | $101 | ||
| 12 | 6 | BOLDINHO | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Hugh Bowman | 7.47L | 4 | 56.5kg | $6.50 | ||
| 13 | 13 | RUSSIAN ASSASSIN | Lauri Parker | Jay Ford | 8.12L | 16 | 56.5kg | $151 | ||
| 14 | 8 | ZAMBEZI RIVER | Chris Waller | Joshua Parr | 9.05L | 12 | 56.5kg | $20 | ||
| 15 | 10 | THE WIZARD KING | Shawn Mathrick | Sam Clipperton | 12.02L | 3 | 56.5kg | $151 | ||
| 16 | 7 | POMADE | Kris Lees | Regan Bayliss | 12.73L | 13 | 56.5kg | $51 | ||
| 17e | NIPOTINO | John Thompson | Brock Ryan | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
