Robusto scores upset Ingham win on huge day for Bjorn Baker and Darby
By Craig Kerry
Bjorn Baker’s team was grateful for “a little bit of divine intervention” to cap a huge day for the Warwick Farm stable and Darby Racing when Robusto stormed to a special victory in the $2 million The Ingham (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Robusto was bred by the Ingham family, who raced him up until selling him online in September to Darby Racing for $160,000.
Tim Clark riding Robusto to victory in The Ingham at Randwick on Saturday.Credit: Getty Images
The son of Churchill was the third foal and first winner for group 3-winning Redoute’s Choice mare She’s Clean, which was bought by the Inghams for $300,000.
The Ingham, formerly the Villiers Stakes, honours the contribution of Jack and Bob Ingham, who became poultry and racing industry giants.
Ridden by Tim Clark, Robusto ($27 Sportsbet) burst down the inside late to cause a boilover, a third of a length in front of Steparty, to claim the $1.155 million cheque.
The victory came after the Baker-Darby team won the $500,000 Inglis Nursery with Within The Law earlier on the program. Disneck then won the last to give Baker a treble on the day.
Tim Clark after riding Robusto to victory in The Ingham.Credit: Getty Images
“It was a little bit of divine intervention,” Baker racing manager Luke Hilton said of Robusto’s Ingham connection.
“But Scott Darby and his team, they are freaks at buying yearlings, tried horses, it doesn’t matter, they find the right horses.
“He’s done an amazing job this time in. He hasn’t had any luck, and he finally drew a gate today, and it paid dividends. And a great ride by Tim.
“It was an outstanding run [last start when second in the Festival Stakes]. He was three-wide, no cover and had a poor gate, and he really stuck on well.
“There were question marks with him at the mile, but when he came up with gate four, we were confident he was going well. He just had to run out a strong mile.”
Hilton said Robusto would next chase a wildcard qualifier for the Magic Millions carnival.
Baker missed the excitement at Randwick while contesting a HYROX endurance competition in Melbourne.
Sky’s the limit for stayer
Premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller was daring to dream of a Melbourne Cup campaign with Kadavar after he made it three wins in a row over 2400m with a gritty effort to take out the listed Christmas Cup.
The four-year-old Tarzino gelding ran down Alalcance close to the line under Kerrin McEvoy to back up wins at Rosehill and Caulfield in benchmark handicaps.
Kerrin McEvoy riding Kadavar to victory.Credit: Getty Images
“He’s been up and down the countryside, but he’s enjoying his racing, and he just keeps going to another level every time he runs,” Waller said.
“That’s four from four over 2400, and he’s out of an Oaks winner, and a sister to an Oaks winner, so I think he’ll get to a high level. That will do for this prep.”
Waller pointed to Knight’s Choice’s surprise win in the Melbourne Cup this year when asked about Kadavar’s potential targets for next preparation.
“When Sheila Laxon’s horse won this year, it showed you don’t have to just worry about overseas stayers to win our big cups, but they need to be able to stay,” he said.
“I know it sounds crazy, but staying is just a different caper.”
The win also gave Waller a race-to-race double after Saltcoats took out the benchmark 88 handicap over 1800m.
Huge bonus within reach
Baker-trained Within The Law became the only contender for the $3 million Inglis Triple Crown bonus when she bustled her way to victory in the $500,000 Inglis Nursery (1000m).
A $30,000 buy for Darby Racing, the Lucky Vega filly came from midfield off a hot speed to muscle between runners under Jason Collett and win by a third of a length from Cobra Club, another Darby Racing horse.
Within The Law was backing up from victory in the $500,000 Inglis Banner at Flemington. The two races make up the first leg of the Inglis triple crown. If a winner from those races then takes out the Millenium and Sires’, connections get an extra $3 million.
It capped a big week for Baker and Collett with two-year-olds, after they combined to win the $200,000 Magic Millions Wyong Classic on Wednesday with O’ Ole, which will challenge for the $3 million MM Gold Coast feature on January 11.
Within The Law went to $593,000 in earnings from just two starts.
“She came back in really good order, and we just gave her an easy few weeks and everything she did at home, she was just really professional,” Hilton said.
Jason Collett after winning on Within The Law.Credit: Getty Images
“That was a really tough win today because she’s not very big, but she showed a lot of heart.
“The big colt was laying all over her, and she had to really shoulder her way out, but it doesn’t surprise me that she can do it. At home, she’s never thrown starlights, but she’s just been real professional and tough.”
The Brad Widdup-trained, Tyler Schiller-ridden Jedibeel won the last feature on the day, the $200,000 listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m).
Jedibeel was badly held up for a run before finding a split late and bursting to a narrow victory over Pereille.
Bourke bounces back
Apprentice Molly Bourke recovered from an early setback to score a satisfying win for boss John Sargent aboard Perfect Thought at Randwick on Saturday.
Bourke, who came off late scratching Nipotino at the barriers in the second race, bounced back in the fourth, a benchmark 78 handicap (1400m), with a well-timed ride.
Perfect Thought was midfield on the fence before Bourke found a late split to drive the So You Think gelding to a photo-finish win over Bunker Hut.
It was a ninth city winner of the season for Bourke, who went to 50 metropolitan and provincial career victories on Wednesday at Wyong.
Molly Bourke wins on Perfect Thought.Credit: Getty Images
“It was a lovely ride,” Sargent said.
“She waited patiently to get out and attacked the line. She’s finally learning to not always be in front, and to judge the pace, and she’s learning every day. It’s great for her.”
Newcastle club honour Kavanagh
Newcastle Jockey Club paid tribute to Sam Kavanagh with a minute’s silence and the wearing of black armbands for the third race at its meeting on Saturday after the local trainer’s death that morning following an 18-month battle with cancer.
“He was certainly an advocate for racing and was always looking for ways to not only improve his own training but to improve the industry in general,” NJC chief Duane Dowell said. “It would certainly be hard to match his passion for racing.”
Kavanagh, 38, is survived by his partner, Kelly, and their 11-year-old daughter Sienna.
His last runner, Sharpen The Knives, was a winner at Armidale on December 8. He had been based at Newcastle for about three years, after making his comeback to training at Muswellbrook following a disqualification.
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