Inglis Millennium to count towards Golden Slipper in first for sales-restricted race
The Australian Turf Club (ATC) says that the placement of the rich Inglis Millennium (RL, 1200m) within Sydney’s juvenile program is enough to make a historic break from tradition, allowing prize-money from a sales-restricted race to be partially counted towards Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) qualification for the first time.
Inglis yesterday announced that its $2 million juvenile feature, which has only been run for two years, would be run at Randwick in 2021 and that $69,500 of the winner’s prize-money will count towards Golden Slipper qualification, with the order of entry determined by eligible earnings.
The $69,500 figure is the equivalent of the minimum for a Sydney Listed race for two-year-olds.
“The timing is everything around the Inglis Millennium,” James Ross, the ATC’s general manager of racing, wagering and international, told ANZ Bloodstock News yesterday. “I think any race that we’ve got that’s playing a significant role in the qualification of horses for the Slipper has to fall within that critical month or two before the race, from the Canonbury and Widden on. It’s a critical juncture when horses are resuming or potentially having their second-last or even their final run before the Slipper.
“We thought about that for a fair amount of time. Obviously, looking at the two quality renewals that the race has already had with Castelvecchio and then the significance that the race can play at that prize-money level in that position within the Golden Slipper pathway, we felt it was a reasonable thing to do to effectively value the race at the same level as Listed prize–money as it is a Restricted Listed race.
“That means that there is no disadvantage to the horses running in it and it can play a meaningful role in the Slipper pathway. I think that was a good outcome for Inglis, who are long-term partners of ours, and then also just the programming options for the race as well.”
Inglis managing director Mark Webster added: “I would especially like to thank Jamie Barkley and James Ross at the ATC for the work they have done in ensuring a portion of the Millennium prize-money will now count toward official Golden Slipper qualification.
“This is something we have been working toward since even before the inaugural Inglis Millennium had been run and with the hard work of the ATC and Racing NSW this is a great result for all breeders, owners, trainers and overall racing participants.
“The Inglis Millennium has already announced itself as one of Australia’s primary two-year-old races and a key lead-up to the Golden Slipper, Inglis Sires and Champagne Stakes and the fact a portion of the prize-money will now be treated as official qualification for the Slipper is a fantastic outcome.
“Prize-money from the Inglis Banner at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day has long counted toward qualification for the Blue Diamond so it is fantastic we now have a similar situation in NSW for the Millennium and the Slipper, the state’s two biggest juvenile races.”
Ross suggested that the move does not disadvantage Magic Millions graduates, with the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m) being run in early January and allowing for more time to earn prize-money that will count towards qualification.
“I don’t think it’s an issue,” Ross said. “We assess any race for which we get an application on its merits. Inglis applied with the Millennium to have its prize-money considered. I think there’s already a very strong pathway there otherwise – we’ve got seven exempt races leading into the Slipper, ballot exempt races, that provide options.
“I think Sydney is one of the leading juvenile jurisdictions, too; on most weeks you’re finding a race – whether it be top prize-money or black-type or even better, black-type and prize-money – on each of those weeks all the way through to the Golden Slipper. I think there’s a really strong program and this just strengthens that a little bit more by ensuring that opportunity exists for those who chase the Inglis Millennium.
“I think it’s important too to consider just how different programs are being utilised. There are so many options now compared to historical pathways, so people are preferring to campaign two-year-olds with a let-up, keep them fresh, so February is becoming as important as March in that preparation. I think it will work out well.”
It was one of a raft of changes to the $6 million Inglis Race Series for 2020 graduates, which includes the introduction of the $250,000 Inglis Bracelet (1600m) for fillies and mares on Oaks Day at Flemington, the transfer of the Inglis Sprint (1200m) for three-year-olds to Australian Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) day at Flemington from 2022 and the switching of the Inglis Dash (1100m), also for three-year-olds, to Flemington next season.
The 2YO Inglis Challenge (1100m) at Scone also received a boost with its prize-money doubled to $200,000. From next year, it will also be eligible to horses sold at the Highway Session at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and the Showcase Session at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, as well as those purchased from the Melbourne Gold Sale and online through Inglis Digital.
“The Race Series is a hugely rewarding part of our business and gives our clients – breeders, vendors, buyers, trainers and owners – the chance to compete for big money against other Inglis horses,’’ Webster said. “These changes we announce today will have a positive impact on so many of those clients.
“I would also like to thank the Victoria Racing Club for their enthusiasm in accepting our new initiative, the Inglis Bracelet on Oaks Day as well as hosting the Inglis Sprint as a feature race on what is already a magnificent day’s racing on Australian Guineas Day, a day before the start of our Premier Yearling Sale at Oaklands each year.’’
Registrations for the Inglis Race Series for 2020 graduates remain open until July 31.