Undefeated filly Proxima Dea strengthened her reputation as one of Australia’s most promising three-year-olds with a decisive victory in the G1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick on Saturday, October 24, defeating the colts and geldings to maintain her perfect record after five career starts.
Trained by David Payne and ridden by Zac Lloyd, the daughter of Tarzino completed an impressive rise from a late-season two-year-old debut winner to a Group 1 champion in just 14 weeks. Her success in the $2 million contest also lifted her career earnings to $1.6 million and provided another significant result for graduates of the Inglis sales programme.
Proxima Dea entered the Spring Champion Stakes after progressing steadily through the ranks. She won a Midway Class 1 event three starts earlier, followed by a Midway Handicap, before stepping into Stakes company with victory in the G3 Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill.
The Randwick assignment represented her toughest challenge yet, as she faced accomplished male rivals over 2000 metres. However, the filly demonstrated the stamina and consistency required to compete at the highest level, defeating fellow Group 1 winner Global Goal and securing a one-two finish for Inglis graduates.
The performance marked another important milestone in Proxima Dea’s rapid development, with her unbeaten sequence placing her among the leading prospects of the Australian spring racing season.
Proxima Dea Spring Champion Stakes Success Sets Up VRC Oaks Target
Payne was delighted with the result and highlighted the filly’s determination, stamina and class as key qualities behind her continued progress. He explained that he had advised Lloyd against waiting for a late sprint, instead encouraging the jockey to position Proxima Dea closer to the pace and allow her staying ability to make the difference.
The trainer believed the filly would benefit from a longer distance and identified the G1 VRC Oaks at Flemington on November 5 as her next target. The additional 500 metres was expected to suit her racing style, with Payne confident that the step up in distance would not present a problem.
Payne also drew comparisons with Montefilia, the last filly he trained to win the Spring Champion Stakes before Proxima Dea’s success in 2020. While acknowledging Montefilia’s ability, he expressed the view that Proxima Dea possessed even greater staying potential.
Bred by Transtasman Breeders, Proxima Dea was purchased for $300,000 by Ciaron Maher Racing at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from the North Bloodstock draft. Her Group 1 victory made her the 128th individual Inglis graduate to win at the highest level since 2018.
The proposed VRC Oaks appearance will offer the unbeaten filly an opportunity to extend her winning sequence over a longer trip and further establish her credentials among Australia’s leading staying three-year-olds.
The Randwick programme also produced an important Stakes breakthrough for Central Europe, while Declichy Boulevard secured the Five Diamonds Prelude. At Flemington, Buggsy and Caddington added further victories to the day’s results for Inglis graduates.
Three-year-old colt Central Europe, a son of Frankel trained by Chris Waller, won the $1 million G3 Callander-Presnell at Randwick. The colt had competed exclusively at Stakes level throughout his career, recording two Group placings as a two-year-old and another Stakes placing at three before contesting the G1 Golden Rose and G1 Caulfield Guineas at his previous two starts.
His victory rewarded a consistent campaign against strong opposition. Central Europe defeated Why So Hard and Lafite, completing a Stakes trifecta for Inglis graduates and securing a deserved breakthrough after several competitive performances.
Waller and Guy Mulcaster purchased Central Europe for $750,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, where Coolmore presented him. Mulcaster welcomed the result after a difficult preparation and expressed confidence that the colt would improve further during the autumn.
Five-year-old mare Declichy Boulevard recorded another notable result by winning the Five Diamonds Prelude and taking her career prize-money earnings beyond $1 million. Trained by Waller, she had previously finished behind Treasurethe Moment in the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes and arrived at Randwick after a difficult run in the G1 Epsom Handicap earlier in October.
Purchased for $380,000 by Cameron Cooke and Waltrin at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from her breeder, Kulani Park, Declichy Boulevard raced in the colours of owners Kevin and Vikky Payne. Her Prelude success set up a planned appearance in the $2 million Five Diamonds at Rosehill in a fortnight.
Inglis Graduates Add Stakes Victories at Flemington
Flemington provided further success for Inglis graduates when three-year-old Buggsy won the G3 Red Anchor Stakes. The son of Harry Angel recorded his third victory from six starts for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr, who had purchased him for $300,000 at the previous year’s Inglis Ready2Race Sale from the Hannover Lodge draft.
Price credited assistant trainer Ben Elam with recommending the Red Anchor Stakes as a suitable target. The victory also raised the possibility of a quick return to Flemington for the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes the following weekend, although connections would assess the option before confirming the colt’s next assignment.
Buggsy joined Tron Bolt, Hard Kick and Queen Regent among the Stakes winners to emerge from the previous year’s Ready2Race Sale, reinforcing the sale’s contribution to the Australian racing circuit.
Progressive three-year-old Caddington completed another important result at Flemington by winning the Listed Crockett Stakes. The daughter of Captivant defeated Aroused and Chayan, leading an Inglis-graduate trifecta and recording a significant victory in her first appearance at Stakes level.
Trained by Liam Howley, Caddington arrived after winning her maiden by almost five lengths a fortnight earlier. Her immediate progression into stronger company produced another emphatic performance, highlighting her development and potential for future assignments.
Bred by Kia Ora Stud, Caddington was purchased through the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. She raced in pink silks after being leased to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
The results at Randwick and Flemington highlighted the continued contribution of Inglis graduates to Australian racing, with Proxima Dea’s Group 1 triumph providing the day’s leading performance and setting up an anticipated challenge in the VRC Oaks.
Proxima Dea remained unbeaten after five starts with victory in the G1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick, defeating Global Goal and earning a potential start in the G1 VRC Oaks at Flemington on November 5. Central Europe and Declichy Boulevard also won at Randwick, while Buggsy and Caddington recorded Stakes victories at Flemington.
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