Inglis Millennium

The country’s equal second-richest juvenile race is up for grabs at Royal Randwick on Saturday. The $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) is now in its fourth year and boasts an honour roll featuring Castlevecchio, Profiteer and last year’s winner Xtravagant Star. A capacity field of 16 runners (with four emergencies) accepted for the event on Wednesday. Much of the interest in the build-up centres around favourite Learning To Fly. One of two horses in the race trained by Annabel Neasham, Learning To Fly, a filly owned by Coolmore, looked mighty impressive in winning the Widden Stakes (1100m) on January 28. But the barrier gods were not on the daughter of American champion Justify’s side, drawing the second outside barrier (19). Neasham’s other hope Dorothy Gail has a few less wraps on her, but did her maiden at Scone with something in hand. Other trainers with at least two runners are Michael Freedman and the Gai Waterhouse-Adrian Bott combination. Star hoop James McDonald renews his association with the Freedman-trained Blanc De Blanc, while Brett Prebble partners stablemate Mexico. Waterhouse and Bott have Coincide and Perfect Proposal, and could end up with three runners if first emergency Ganbare can squeeze its way into the field. Two horses to keep safe are the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Facile, and Saltaire, a daughter of Star Turn from the John O’Shea stable. The Inglis Millennium is Race 6 on a terrific 10-event card at Royal Randwick on Saturday and will be run at 3.20pm (EST). SELECTIONS – Facile, Learning To Fly, Blanc De Blanc, Divine Glory