It was a storybook debut at Randwick on Saturday, 13th December, as Where’s The Circus, a $1250 Inglis Digital purchase, led from barrier to post to claim the $400,000 Listed Inglis Nursery. The victory was a testament to the sharp eye and dedication of trainer Paul Murray and his partner Michelle Ritchie, who had unearthed the Trapeze Artist filly from the Inglis Digital September Online Sale the previous year.
“I’d never even seen the filly when we bought her, but I knew the family,” Murray said. “To have this girl come along and put herself in the lights, it was exciting for everyone.” Where’s The Circus, sent out at $51, overcame the odds with poise, showcasing speed and composure that belied her debut status.
The filly, out of the mare Misplaced, joined an illustrious list of past Inglis Nursery winners including She Will Reign, Extreme Choice, Within The Law, Acrobat, Mossfun, and Wild Ruler. Her triumph on debut cemented her as one of the pre-Christmas two-year-old form standouts.
Where’s The Circus defeated Internal Affairs (Home Affairs) and Regal Hustle (Dirty Work) in a thrilling finish. Regal Hustle, trained by Matthew Smith, was the first Pink Bonus-eligible runner home, earning her connections an additional $100,000. Part-owner Kellie Crameri expressed her delight: “We ran third but we felt like we had won. It was amazing, the Inglis Pink Bonus. This was honestly what dreams were made of.”
Beyond the finish line, the day highlighted the Inglis Race Series’ broader appeal. Trainer Murray climbed to equal second in the Theault Trainers’ Challenge, with the overall series winner receiving a six-month lease of a Theault horsebox. The next showcase event was the $2 million Millennium at Randwick on February 7, where Murray hinted Where’s The Circus could feature.
Elsewhere on the day, Inglis Bloodstock Consultant Harry Bailey awarded Internal Affairs as the Best Turned Out runner in the Theatre of the Horse, a new initiative recognising standout presentation, with the filly’s strapper Annie Robinson-Sierant pocketing a $500 prize.
Where’s The Circus’ emergence from a modest online purchase to a feature race winner underscored the enduring allure of discovering racing talent in unexpected places.
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