Inglis Millennium

Dawn Passage (Dawn Approach {Ire}) heads up the market for the Inglis Millennium this Saturday. Star Thoroughbreds' brilliant colt Accession (Brazen Beau) is 2nd favourite, alongside Cardiff (Snitzel) trained by Gerald Ryan.

Bella Mente breaks El Roca's duck

El Roca secured his first winner as a stallion with his filly Bella Mente (NZ) booking her spot in stakes company with a hard-fought win at Matamata on Sunday.

El Roca, who stands at Westbury Stud, has only had four runners to the track and the Shaune Ritchie-trained Bella Mente atoned for her unlucky third on debut, prevailing over race favourite Killin (Snitzel) in the final stages to win the 1200m race.

With the confidence of a win at Matamata, Ritchie will likely bring Bella Mente back to the same track on February 23 for the G2 J Swap Contractors Ltd. Matamata Breeders’ S.

“We’ve been thinking about tackling the Breeders’ Stakes with her so today has probably helped us make that decision,” Ritchie said.

“She is a lovely filly, quite muscular but not too heavy, who can really hit the line hard."

“She has one white sock which does tend to make her action look a little exuberant, but she is a very good mover.”

Ritchie bought the Swiss Ace half-sister to Bella Mente for $100,000 at the National Yearling sale last Monday and is hoping to add some black-type to the family.

“We really like the family, so I was pleased to be able to buy the half-sister at the yearling sale,” he said.

“I trained another family member (Bella Gioia) to run second in the 1000 Guineas so we know the family ability is there."

“If Bella Mente could win or place in the Breeders' Stakes then it would be a great result all around.”

Waller flies in as Weir exodus grows

Chris Waller will fly to Melbourne on Monday to discuss the transfer of several ex-Darren Weir horses to his stables.

Waller has already taken over the training over ex-Weir horses Yes Yes Yes (Rubick) and Hulk (I Am Invincible), with Weir to face a show cause hearing on Monday to determine if he will be immediately suspended following six charges being laid against him by Racing Victoria stewards on Friday.

Weir, along with assistant trainer Jarrod McLean and employee Tyson Kermond, was charged following the raids conducted on his stables last Wednesday by Victoria Police and the RV integrity team.

With some 600 horses in his care, there has been an unprecedented exodus from Weir's stables this weekend, with Waller expected to be among the beneficiaries.

Waller said there was still a lot of work to do to determine which horses come under his care.

"I'm going to Melbourne on Monday and will talk to people about the horses," Waller said.

"Nothing is finalised. I don't know what their programs are or where they are heading."

"The paperwork has to be done and there's a lot to work out."

Ex-Weir trio remain on track

The autumn campaigns of Group 1 winning trio Voodoo Lad (I Am invincible), Extra Brut (Domesday) and Land of Plenty (Stratum) remain on track despite a change of stables from Darren Weir to Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

Land of Plenty and Voodoo Lad will jump out at Terang on Monday ahead of first-up runs at Caulfield on Saturday, while G1 Victoria Derby winner Extra Brut, who was a forced scratching from Saturday's G3 Manfred S., will trial at Cranbourne on Monday.

Land Of Plenty was third first-up in the G2 Australia S. and will head to the G1 CF Orr S. at Caulfield this Saturday, while Voodoo Lad, the last start winner of the G1 Winterbottom S. will likely run in the G3 Rubiton S.

Extra Brut will resume in the G3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on February 16.

“Those horses all have their programs well before us taking them over,” Eustace said on RSN’s Correct Weight.

“He (Extra Brut) will still have a good hit-out on Monday or Tuesday and he’ll just go straight to the C.S. Hayes Stakes over 1400m and then into the Australian Guineas."

“That was the plan before the first-up run, which he obviously missed on Saturday.”

Both Extra Brut and Land Of Plenty are heading to the $5m All-Star Mile.

McEvoy not fazed by Girl's failure

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy is not concerned by Girl Tuesday's (Street Cry {Ire}) first career defeat at Rosehill on Saturday.

The 4-year-old was well-backed when having her fifth start in the Events By ATC Bm88 Hcp, but made no impression, finishing eighth, some six lengths from winner and stablemate Seaway (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).

But McEvoy, who was having his second ride on the mare, wasn't concerned and felt that the race didn't evolve to her favour.

"She felt fine," said McEvoy, "She settled back from the gate and the tempo wasn't great. We moved into it and she levelled out the last furlong. She is going to be better with the hit out under her belt so don't sell out on her yet."

Trainer Chris Waller was similarly forgiving in his assessment.

"It was plain but it was on a Soft 7 track first up... I would have disappointed had she loomed and got tired but she never got into the race," he said.

Girl Tuesday is out of four-time Group 1 winner Tuesday Joy (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}), who hails from one of Australia's best female families, including her G1 winning half sister Sunday Joy, the dam of champion More Joyous.

Sale to race on Monday

Victoria's race-free Mondays will be suspended this week after Sunday's feature Sale meeting was moved back by 24 hours.

The nine-race card will start from 1:30pm on Monday having been pushed back after temperatures reached 39 degrees in the Gippsland town on Sunday. Monday's predicted maximum is 28.

There are 19 Cranbourne trials scheduled on Monday morning, leading to some logistical headaches for some trainers and jockeys.

The feature race in the $60,000 Sale Quality, which has attracted a good field of city class sprinters.