Cover image courtesy of Michael McInally

G3 Grand Prix S. - Queensland Derby pointer

Chris Waller teamed up with James Orman to win this race last year with Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and they look a top chance to make it two in a row with Kirikan (NZ) (Tivaci) being one of the favoured runners in this Group 3 contest for 3-year-olds at Eagle Farm.

Like Kovalica at the time, Kirikan is a New Zealand-bred horse on the up, appreciating a step up in distance when recording a tough on-pace (facing the breeze) maiden victory over 1900 metres at Canterbury on December 8.

Kovalica was having his first crack at black-type as is Kirikan whom the stable hope can go onto the sort of heights last year's winner did - returning next time in to take out the G2 Queensland Guineas and the G1 Queensland Derby.

He is one of five Grand Prix winners to also take out that Classic, the others including Kingston Town (Bletchingly) and Double Century, with the most recent being Hawkspur (Purrealist) in 2013.

Back then however the race was run a couple of weeks before the Derby, moved to December in 2019 - a year which saw two runnings of it; Fun Fact (The Factor {USA}) taking out the May version, Chains Of Honour (Redoute's Choice) successful in the summer.

Making Kovalica the first horse to win the newer Grand Prix/Queensland Derby double but not the first to take Grand Prix form to Classic success during the Queensland winner carnival - Gypsy Goddess (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) winning this in December 2021 and the G1 Queensland Oaks the following June.

She was the first to complete double since the inaugural Grand Prix winner Mode (Aloe {Ire}), though back then it was run two weeks after the Oaks! Three other horses have gone from this race onto Group 1 glory - Distinctly Secret (NZ) (Distinctly North {USA}), Balmerino (NZ) and Sirmione (Encosta De Lago).

And in 1977 it was the final win recorded by the star filly Surround (NZ) (Sovereign Edition {Ire}).

In an open race Kirikan is one of four horses at single-figure odds, his major threats appearing to be the consistent Felix The Scat (Mendelssohn {USA}) whose trainer Tony Gollan is shooting for his first Grand Prix win, Kirikan's honest stablemate Shy Guy (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) and fellow Ocean Park (NZ) gelding Imezaaki (NZ).

G3 Damien Oliver Gold Rush - a legend's farewell

The barrier gods have not been kind to legendary jockey Damien Oliver as he attempts to win the race renamed in recognition of his retirement, but he is a rider who has never been scared of a challenge!

And it would be some swansong should Munhamek (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) salute. And he is a horse due some luck having being held up for runs in another race named after his rider - the G2 Damien Oliver at Flemington in which he was third - whilst finding trouble from a wide gate in the G1 Toorak H.

Should he salute he'd be the second Victorian-trained horse to win the Gold Rush (won last year by The Astrologist {Zoustar}) which up until two years ago was known as the A.J Scahill S.; a race which was first contested in 1978 and which been won by such talented gallopers as Takeover Target (Celtic Swing {GB}), Marasco (Scenic {Ire}), Vega Magic (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Kementari (Lonhro), Island Morn, King Phoenix (NZ) (Amyntor {Fr}) and Heron Bridge (Tudor Bridge {GB}).

It is also a race won by horses who have also enjoyed G1 Railway S. success - Eastern Temple (Ksar {GB}), Miss Muffet (Haulpak), Medicine Kid (Medical Man {USA}), Bold Extreme (Bold Invader) and Willoughby (Fimiston) having both races on their resumes.

It is another Victorian who may prove hardest for Munhamek to beat with Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) also strongly fancied on the back of his good finish to run sixth in the Toorak.

The local contingent is well-represented by the recent G1 Northerly S. winner Dom To Shoot (Shooting To Win), the G2 Lee Steere Classic winner Valour Road (Frost Giant {USA}) and the Railway winner Bustler (Playing God) as well as the first emergency, the Listed Carbine Club winner Let's Galahvant (Galah).

And adding plenty of interest are a couple local up-and-comers - the 3-year-olds Ripcord (Written By) who stormed home to win the Listed Placid Ark S. before a game Railway third and the consistent and classy filly Super Smink (Super One) who as second emergency needs a bit of luck gaining a start.

Listed Gold Edition Plate - Ryan Maloney again?

Jockey Ryan Maloney boasts an excellent race in this 3-year-old sprinting contest, taking it out three times in the last four years aboard Golden Boom (Spirit Of Boom) last year, Isotope (Deep Field) in 2020 and on the wonderful galloper Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) in 2019.

This time around he is aboard of one of the three Stuart Kendrick-trained fancies, the up-and-comer Defiant Spirit (Spirit Of Boom) is yet to run a bad race - twice a winner and three times placed from his first five starts.

His stablemate Show Me Mercy (Astern) also boasts an excellent record - three wins and a third from four starts and he has won a Sunshine Coast trial since last being seen leading throughout in a BM70 contest at Eagle Farm in late September.

When it comes to black-type form, six of the runners have come off runs in stakes races including the second - Abounding (Rich Enuff), third - Mixed Spice (Russian Revolution), and fourth - Tiger Shark (Rich Enuff) home in the Listed Mode Plate won by West Of Dalby (Santos).

Abounding was the strongest home in that race whilst fellow Rich Enuff filly Tiger Shark was a game fourth off a wide run and Mixed Spice boxed on gamely from just behind the pace.

Cifrado (Encryption) had a poor recovery rate after a below best run in the Listed Keith Noud but is a dual Group 2 winner.

Group racing in New Zealand - Trentham and Te Rapa features

Two tracks in New Zealand host Group races on Saturday - the G3 Eulogy S. at Trentham and the G3 J Swap Sprint, the G2 Cal Isuzu S. and the G3 Waikato Cup at Te Rapa.

The first of those is named in honour of the legendary broodmare about whom Richard Ulbrich in his great work 'Peerage Of Racehorses' noted...

“No broodmare has exercised a greater influence for the betterment of the Dominion's breeding industry.”

Fighting out favouritism in her race is Chantilly Lace (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}) who finished off nicely to run third in the G3 Wellington S. at her most recent outing and Vivacious (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) who showed good heart breaking her maiden at just her second outing.

Gallery: Fighting out favouritism in the G3 Eulogy S. at Trentham

The J Swap Sprint is the first of the Te Rapa features, a race in which Romancing The Moon (NZ) (El Roca) looks suited up in distance having run on well for a G3 Counties Bowl third last start. Also an eye-catcher last time out was Our Alley Cat (NZ) (Atlante) who was close up in the G2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders' S. off a messy start.

The Cal Isuzu S. sees two very nice types being kept very safe - the gutsy Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders' S. winner Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) and Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) who is back home having run a good and somewhat unlucky fourth in the G2 Matriarch S. at Flemington.

The Waikato Cup favourite Dionysus (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) was briefly held up when finishing behind Aromatic (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) last start whilst the Group 1 galloper Prise De Fer (NZ) (Savabeel) will appreciate a drop in class after missing the start in the G1 TAB Classic last weekend.

Listed Starstruck Classic - another chance for Oliver on his final day

First run in 1994 - and until 2000 under names of sponsors - this 1600-metre contest for fillies and mares was renamed in honour of the terrific mare Starstruck (Haulpak) in 2001.

The winner of 13 of her 46 starts, the Heytesbury Stud-bred Starstruck was one of the best representatives of Western Australian gallopers on the eastern seaboard in the mid 1990s, best remembered for her determined victory over Jeune (GB) in the 1995 G1 Australian Cup.

Just seven runners face the starter at Ascot this year but there are some very nice types amongst them - including the Grant and Alana Williams-trained Yonga Lass (Universal Prince) who has been impressively working her way through the classes.

The winner of her last three, she has similar lead-up form to last year's winner Alsephina (Star Turn). She is also a member of the Williams stable, as was Cosmic Storm (Street Sense {USA}) who won this race in 2016.

Yonga Lass is one of the last rides for Damien Oliver and her major threat comes at the hands of another jockey over from Victoria - Craig Williams taking the ride on the classy and consistent Super Smink (Super One) who is also vying for a run (as second emergency) in the G2 Damien Oliver Gold Rush later in the day.

Damian Lane is also hoping for a Perth feature, riding another one of the favourites in Rusty Dream (Universal Ruler) who was only just beaten by Gold Rush contender Baby Paris (Playing God) in the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic two weeks ago. Also good in that race - a close up fifth - was Amber Glide (Nicconi) who has previously won four in a row.

The juveniles - 2-year-old racing at Caulfield and Randwick

There are no winners amongst the nine acceptors in the opening race at Caulfield on Saturday though six have already faced the starter.

Traffic Warden (Street Boss {USA}) ran boldly at his Rosehill debut when second to the promising Storm Boy (Justify {USA}) and should not remain a maiden for long. Express Yo'Self (Alabama Express) also comes off an encouraging first start when third behind Eneeza (Exceed And Excel) in the Listed Merson Cooper S.

The most expensive of the debutants is the $500,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale graduate Little Stirrer (Written Tycoon) who has finished second in a couple of Flemington jump-outs. Bred on the same Written Tycoon/Snitzel cross as last weekend's Group 2 winner Captured By Love, she is out of the G3 Widden S. winner Teaspoon (Snitzel).

Another to have jumped out well at Flemington is the 800-metre heat winner I'm Kenough (Starspangledbanner) - a homebred for the Corstens stable out of the Flemington winner Sell In May (NZ) (Starcraft {NZ}). His full brother Igniting has won three races in Hong Kong.

There are also seven runners in the first at Randwick, again all maidens with four having already raced with Traffic Warden the only one to have finished in the placings. Valabing (National Defense {GB}) backs up having done her best work late in last weekend's R. Listed Inglis Nursery.

The dearest purchase amongst the first starters is the $850,000 Magic Millions colt Moonraker (Zoustar). A full brother to the G3 Bow Mistress S. winner Zoushine out of the multiple city winner Ravenous Lass (Stratum), he finished off strongly for a Newcastle trial second.

A couple of I Am Invincible colts are making their debuts off trial victories - Anode from the family of Fastnet Rock and Tardelli from the family of Criterion (NZ). The former is a homebred for Evergreen whilst the latter fetched $360,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Another good seller and trial winner is Amazing Eagle (Capitalist), a $400,000 Magic Millions colt whose grandam is the Listed winner Anacarde (Anabaa {USA}).

Sustained success across the year

With over $85 million in transactions across 22 sales in 2023, there has been no shortage of interest in Inglis Digital sales this calendar year, with buyers of all budgets diving into the online auctions to find value.

From shares to broodmares, over 8500 lots (including the current sale) have made their way onto the platform, offering buyers from Randwick to Roebourne a chance to acquire a missing piece to their operation.

Now live with their final auction, The Thoroughbred Report takes a look back at what has been a strong year for the online platform, alongside a look at some of the more intriguing lots in the final iteration of the sale for this year.

With two auctions per month for the first 11 months of the year, there’s seldom time where an Inglis Digital auction is either live, or within a week of being live.

Even with a global ‘correction’ across many sales, a trend Australia has not been immune from, the numbers posted across the year managed to keep comparability with 2022, according to Melmeth.

“It’s been very pleasing,” he told The Thoroughbred Report when asked how he saw results across the year. “The clearance rates have remained up, the averages have held, the quality of stock has been excellent. Overall, it’s been a very pleasing year for us.

“The most pleasing part of it (for us) is that one in five races are won by an Inglis Digital graduate, so everyone’s getting positive results.”

The numbers throughout 2023 have been strong, of the non-standalone sales, of which there have been 22 completed, a total of 6089 lots have been successfully sold at a clearance rate of 75 per cent.

In eight separate sales, the highest-priced lot was knocked down for over $500,000, with all but two sales (both in October) offering over 250 lots.

Away from the hammer dropping (or perhaps in this case, the mouse clicking), there have been a number of success stories for buyers out of the sale, perhaps none more prominent than Rebel Racer (Rebel Raider), the 7-year-old gelding winning the G2 Adelaide Cup less than two months after being purchased for $35,000 in January. Since joining Amy and Ash Yargi on the Mornington Peninsula, he has gone on to earn almost seven times his purchase price in prizemoney, competing at metropolitan level on a consistent basis.

Another positive result out of the auctions has been Just Folk (Magnus), who found a new home and ownership group with trainer Gavin Bedggood. Picked up for $199,000 in July, with the retirement of previous trainer Josh Julius the motivator behind his sale, Just Folk went on to compete five times after swapping colours, all at black-type level, with his worst result being a 2.2l fourth in the G2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day. The remaining four starts saw him finish in the placings each time, which included a brave win in the G3 Eclipse S. at Caulfield in December.

Off the back of his strong campaign, Just Folk was able to recoup his full purchase price, with interest, in less than six months, earning $256,000 in prizemoney.

Strong results for high-end stock

With such lucrative opportunities for breeding prospects, talented racemares were in consistently high demand, with three Inglis Digital auctions boasting top lots that cracked the $1 million mark.

Both of July’s auctions brought significant interest in securing a talented competitor for their breeding future, with Another Award (Shamus Award) attracting a price of $1,200,000, while Jamaea (Headwater) was sold for $1,025,000.

Both results were dwarfed in September by the sale of North Star Lass (Zoustar), who was knocked down for $1,525,000, an amount comparable to the 2022 price commanded by Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), who sold for $1,550,000 in a standalone Inglis Digital auction.

Gallery: Some of the high-class race fillies/mares that cracked the $1 million mark via the Inglis Digital platform in 2023, images courtesy of Inglis Digital

While the highest result of 2022 may just shade that of 2023, Sierra Sue was the only millionaire purchase of that year, whereas 2023 boasted four, three of which occurred in ‘normal’ sales. Also attracting a seven-figure price-tag was Miss Rosieano (Exceed And Excel), who sold for $1,275,000 in a standalone sale held in July.

The collective total of four million-dollar lots also eclipses 2021, which boasted three; Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}), Joyous Legend (Snitzel) and Every Rose (Choisir), the former selling for $2,700,000 to Japan, a figure that remains an Inglis Digital record since the concept began in 2017.

Final sale of the year brings new feature for returning buyers

Just the one online sale is run by Inglis Digital in December, although it certainly isn’t void of options, with 558 lots entered in the final catalogue of the 2023 calendar year.

“There’s some quality across the board, we’ve got some nice standouts in the racehorse section, particularly Kosgei, he is a potential Hong Kong-style horse,” Melmeth said of the final catalogue of the year.

There will undoubtedly be Hong Kong interest in Kosgei (The Autumn Sun), a 3-year-old gelding who would be eligible for lucrative races such as the G1 Hong Kong Derby should his next owners elect to send him to the powerful jurisdiction.

He was a game fourth in the G1 VRC Derby in November, running on well from midfield to finish 3.35l off Riff Rocket (American Pharoah {USA}). He was also solid in the Listed Geelong Classic at his prior start, running on well from the rear of the field to claim third.

Asked why Hong Kong buyers are turning to Inglis Digital more, Melmeth pointed towards one factor in particular.

“We definitely have engagement from Hong Kong buyers on a regular basis, at all different levels, I think what the buyers like and the reason we get engagement (from them) is the clarity and transparency around the sale,” he explained.

“I think they enjoy that a lot of the information has been provided by the vendors now, to make educated decisions. So it’s definitely something that we’re seeing more engagement on, and we are now getting more and more vendors that are putting up this style of horse (Kosgei), because they are seeing the engagement from Hong Kong. It’s a bit of a snowball effect.”

Away from Kosgei, a host of other intriguing prospects are available to bid on, with Melmeth continuing, “There’s racefillies like Queenmaker, Frumos, Grinzinger Crown, they’re all extremely high-quality individuals.

“We also have Trust, who’s based in Europe and is in foal to Kingman. There’s Missile Rain as well, who is a full sister to the dam of Derby winner Riff Rocket, she’s currently in foal to Cosmic Force, so there’s a fair bit of interest across the board.”

The December sale will also provide the unveiling of a new feature for frequent buyers on the platform, a recommendation tool that identifies lots of potential interest based on previous buyer patterns.

“There’s now a feature that recommends lots to the buyer, based on their previous history,” Melmeth explained, “So it’s now highlighted on their index page, based on what they’ve done in their history with us, it’s a machine learning engine that provides them with horses that they might be interested in based on what they’ve done previously.

“Bidding, shortlisting, favouriting and buying would be the key areas that are picked up on by it. We’re not saying it’s going to give them the horse that they will buy, it’s just trying to help with the process.”

Other highlights of the catalogue include Snapback (Snitzel), who ran second in the G2 Sires’ Produce S. as a 2-year-old at Eagle Farm, a five per cent share in Surf Dancer (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and a two per cent share in stallion prospect Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel).