Australia: Odinson seeks big payday in Inglis Millennium

Any juvenile that begins its career in a stakes commands attention. So far, the Australia 2-year-old Odinson has lived up to expectations.

After finishing third in a Group 3 stakes in his debut on Nov. 7, Odinson won the restricted Nursery Stakes with a come-from-behind move at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on Dec. 9.

The win in the $328,800 Nursery Stakes has led to a start in the $1.3 million Inglis Millennium, a race restricted to sales progeny that will be run at 5 1/2 furlongs at Randwick on Friday night.

Odinson, a Night of Thunder colt trained by Ciaron Maher, drew post 4 in a race expected to have a full field of 16.

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Odinson will be ridden for the first time by Dylan McMonagle, who replaced an injured James McDonald, Australia’s leading rider by money earnings. McDonald recently sustained an ankle injury that will keep him sidelined until later this month,

McMonagle will have the job of guiding Odinson through a big field. The race should have a good pace, particularly if expected favorite Fully Lit runs to expectations. Fully Lit, who has an outside post, won his debut in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on Jan. 20 by setting the pace.

Rue de Royale, second by slightly more than a length in the $537,000 Golden Gift at 5 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens in his last start on Nov. 11, is another closer considered a leading contender in the Inglis Millennium.

The race is part of a 10-race program that begins at 8:30 p.m. Eastern or 5:30 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Mr Brightside leads Orr Stakes

The most prestigious race in Australia this weekend is the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes at seven furlongs at Caulfield Racecourse on Friday evening across American time zones.

The Orr Stakes is led by Mr Brightside, who was fifth in the race last year but months later won the $3.32 million All-Star Mile and Group 1 Doncaster Mile in consecutive starts.

The 2024 Orr Stakes will be Mr Brightside’s first start since a second by 1 1/4 lengths to 12-1 Pride of Jenni in the Group 1 Champions Mile at Flemington Racecourse on Nov. 11.

Pride of Jenni is part of a field of nine for the Orr Stakes. It is the 6-year-old mare’s first start since the Champions Mile. Pride of Jenni is trained by Maher, having previously been trained by the partnership of Maher and David Eustace.

Eustace announced in January that he was relocating to Hong Kong to train in that city.

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