Australia: Sejardan co-favorite in Inglis Millennium Stakes
Sejardan was the surprise winner at 9-1 in the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate for 2-year-olds at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney in October, closing from 11th in a field of 13 to win more than a length.
The colt’s reputation has only grown since that victory.
Trained by Gary Portelli, Sejardan followed his debut with a win in the $737,500 Golden Gift Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on Nov. 6, again closing from off the pace to reach the front in the final strides.
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Sejardan will have his 2022 debut in an even richer event – Saturday’s $1.42 million Inglis Millennium Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Randwick, a sale progeny race. Sejardan was the 3-1 co-favorite as of Thursday with the equally intriguing filly Paris Dior. The Inglis Millennium drew a full field of 16.
Sejardan will be ridden by Jason Collett from post 9, which should suit the colt’s closing style.
Paris Dior also runs from off the pace, and is drawn in post 10. Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, Paris Dior has had two starts, a second by a head in a maiden race at five furlongs at Warwick Farm on Dec. 22 and a convincing win by 3 1/4 lengths in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Canterbury Park on Jan. 7.
None of the runners have had more than two starts. There will be support for the maiden Boldinho, who was second in his debut and an unlucky fourth as the 6-5 favorite in the restricted Nursery Stakes at five furlongs at Randwick on Dec. 11.
Boldinho raced on the rail into the stretch and was unable to find a clear path through the final furlong, losing by 1 3/4 lengths to El Padrino who is part of the Inglis Millennium field. Boldinho drew post 6 in the Inglis Millennium, which should lead to a better trip. Boldinho was an interesting 5-1 as of Thursday.
The Inglis Millennium is the sixth race on a 10-race program that begins at 8:25 p.m. Eastern or 5:25 p.m. Pacific on Friday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.