Impressive win in McEwen Stakes has thrust The Inferno into spotlight for The Everest

Trainer Cliff Brown has declared The Inferno a possible The Everest contender following his McEwen Stakes victory.

The Inferno ridden by Damian Lane wins the Mitty's McEwen Stakes at The Valley. Picture: Pat Scala/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Cliff Brown will be popular among Everest slot-holders after The Inferno bolted in with the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at The Valley almost untouched.

Sitting back and wide the former Singapore sensation stormed past Portland Sky at The Valley to emerge as a genuine Group 1 calibre sprinter.

The blistering performance not only puts Brown into the spring spotlight but also delivered the Mornington horseman his first Melbourne winner in 14 years.

“I think he’s the best horse I’ve had,” Brown said.

“It’s a long way to go, but that’s what I think, he can quicken better than anything.

“It’s early days and the emotions are high at the moment, you say stupid things.

“He wasn’t really touched today to win.”

Brown, a five-time Group 1 winner, moved to Singapore in 2007 where the self-proclaimed “world’s greatest pessimist” enjoyed sustained success over several seasons.

But the pull of home and emergence of The Inferno, who won eight of nine starts at Kranji including the Listed Singapore Guineas and Lion City Cup, motivated Brown to return to Australia.

“He was a big part of the reason we came home,” Brown said.

“I said to a few close mates, I’ve got a great mate in Singapore, Denis, I said I think he’s the best horse that I’ve ever had and to come back and do this is great.

“I think he could be an Everest horse … the beauty of him is he likes firm, he likes soft. I think he could be that sort of smokey for that race.”

Of the beaten brigade, September Run finished off strongly from back in the field to grab third.

Esta La Roca tired after setting the speed while Portland Sky should be better for the run.

The Inferno comes storming home in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes! pic.twitter.com/ru8rGCKGFG

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 4, 2021

Originally published as Impressive win in McEwen Stakes has thrust The Inferno into spotlight for The Everest