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By Adrian Sciglitano

An in-depth look at the chances of every runner in the $2,000,000 Inglis Millennium – 2YO’s (1100m) to be run at Royal Randwick. Comments made with the expectation of a good track with the rail in the true position.

1. Cobra Club (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): Hard to fault his debut effort behind Within The Law in the Inglis Nursery when not fancied in the market sticking on bravely for second. He has since trialled up ok at Hawkesbury and will need some luck slotting in from a middle draw but he can run a bold race again.

2. Rivellino (Kris Lees): He couldn’t have been more impressive on debut over 1000m doing everything right in the run and powering away from his rivals late to score by just shy of two lengths. You can draw a rough form line to benchmark two-year old Wodeton through The Magic Man who he lines up against here and he has since been sealed with the McDonald tick of approval at the trials. Has to contend with a wide draw and will need some luck but he has the right man aboard and profiles to be in the finish.

3. The Magic Man (Paul Perry): It is hard to fault his four runs to date and he appears to be getting better each time he steps out this preparation. Stuck on bravely when collared late by Rivellino over 1000m prior to running a respectable placing behind benchmark two-year old Wodeton at Rosehill last start. He has drawn pole position for Kerrin McEvoy and there is no reason to say he can’t be in the finish.

4. Grafterburners (Kelly Schweida): Queensland visitor for the astute Kelly Schweida team who is yet to run out of the placings in his first three starts. His form can be tied into Cannonbury Stakes winner Blitzburg which puts him ahead of a few here. Will need luck from the wide draw though and has each-way claims.

5. Crown The King (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): Unlucky not to win on debut over 1050m at Doomben hitting the line from the rear. He has been given two trials in readiness for this run first-up into his preparation and a top six finish wouldn’t shock.

6. Sanctified (Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou): Bumped into the smart Wodeton on debut over 1100m at Rosehill when sticking on for third after settling near pace. He will present fitter for that experience and will look to make his own luck from a wide gate again but a win here would surprise.

7. Yolo (Ciaron Maher): Raced without luck on debut at Geelong over 1100m behind Cherish Me before looming up and running a respectable race last start behind Open Secret when coming back to 1000m at Randwick. This has always looked the main aim for him this preparation and he has drawn to get an economical run from a good barrier.

8. Prince Marionette (Patrick Kearney): Hit the line ok on debut at Seymour over 1100m behind Bliss Bomb. This looks much harder on paper but he has drawn a good barrier to put himself into the race.

9. Within The Law (Bjorn Baker): Unbeaten in both of her race starts and has accumulated $593,000 in earnings for her owners. Has shown her versatility being able to settle in the pack last start when winning the Inglis Nursery at Randwick as well as settling outside of runners at Flemington on debut. Her recent trial behind Snitzel Miss in readiness for this was good and although she will need luck from an outside gate she can make her presence felt late.

10. Kujenga (Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald): She was an all the way winner on debut over 1200m at Wyong defying Damien and Namaste over the concluding stages. She has been given four weeks between that run and has been given the toughen up run at 1200m which will hold her in good stead for a high pressure 1100m contest. Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald have found an in-form Chad Schofield to take over the reins and she maps to get the gun run from an inside gate.

11. Open Secret (John Thompson): Bounced out fast from an inside gate and did everything right on debut over 1000m in a performance which surprised trainer John Thompson after only having the one trial. She is open to good improvement after having the race day experience but is tasked with a tricky barrier. If Zac Lloyd can get the luck required from out there she can figure in the finish again.

12. Price Tag (Anthony & Sam Freedman): She did all but get past smart filly My Gladiola first-up in the Blue Diamond Preview (fillies) at Sandown over 1000m when only beaten 1.5L with the gap back to third consolidating the quality of the race. The fillies edition was able to run nearly seven lengths faster than the colts and geldings edition solidifying her place at the top of the market here. Tyler Schiller was able to have a feel of the $600,000 Inglis Easter Yearling purchase and will look to atone for her defeat when she lines up on Saturday. She is drawn a little tricky but with the good tempo expected up front she can find a back to follow in the run and finish over the top. She looks the horse they all need to beat and a deserved favourite.

13. Rubion (Anthony & Sam Freedman): Well beaten in the Blue Diamond fillies preview first-up this preparation but was competitive behind Within The Law at Flemington at her second race start which gives her a rough each-way chance. She is one of four Inglis Pink Bonus eligible runners, three of which are emergencies so will take her place in the field at each way odds.

14. Artistic Venture (John O’Shea & Tom Charlton): She produced an eye-catching debut effort behind Within The Law running fourth in the Inglis Nursery (1000m). She has since trialled well enough for her second race start and the middle barrier allows her to do no work in the run and be produced over the concluding stages. Each-way chance.

15. Sheeza Diva (Mitchell & Desiree Kearney): She has been well beaten at both of her starts to date when starting big odds on both occasions. Drawn to get a good run in transit but a top three finish here would surprise.

16. Deep Affection (John Thompson): She has struggled in both of her starts to date and the wide barrier doesn’t aid her chances in what looks a harder assignment.

17(e). Bellazaine (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): She is an eye-catching and strong daughter of Zousain who raced with no luck on debut in the Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) when caught wide throughout. She was able to battle on to only be beaten just over three lengths in a strong form race behind Bel Merci. Both of her trials this preparation have been typical of a filly who has improved between preparations and she looks tuned up and ready to do something fresh. She requires a scratching to make the field but must be respected if she gains entry from a middle draw.

18(e). Make Mine Moet (Chris Waller): Well beaten last week behind The Playwright in the Widden Stakes (1100m) and this doesn’t look any easier from a wide gate.

19(e). Autumn Blonde (John Sargent): Raced greenly on debut in the Gimcrack when finishing down the track. Both of her trials this preparation have been ok but she will need to lift and requires luck from the wide draw if she gains a start.

20(e). Michelangelo (Chris Waller): Hit the line well on debut at Canterbury but this looks a big step up from a maiden.

Speed Map: Open Secret (barrier 19), Cobra Club (barrier 10) and Rivellino (barrier 16) all have natural gate speed to push across from their wide draws in what should be a genuine tempo. The Magic Man (barrier 1) and Kujenga (barrier 2) can take the drop in behind the first wave of speed from their inside draws. Favourites Price Tag (barrier 11) and Within The Law (barrier 18) will be looking for a midfield role with cover.

Selections:
12. Price Tag
17e. Bellazaine
2. Rivellino
3. The Magic Man

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting