Inglis Mile

The Inglis Mile is a Group 3 race hosted by Moonee Valley Racing Club and is run at the Moonee Valley Racetrack in Melbourne in October. Free $250 Bet That Can't Lose

The mile race is open to mares four years old and above and run under handicap conditions. This event is held annually in the month of October at the Moonee Valley racecourse. The 1600 metre trip across the tight Moonee Valley track is worth $150,000. The Inglis Mile is also held during the popular Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival along with the Group 1 Cox Plate, the most famous event hosted at Moonee Valley.

The first Inglis Mile was hosted as the BMW Australia Stakes in 1990, won by Princess Pushy.

It began as a Listed Race and was elevated to Group 3 in 1994. It has been run under several different names over the years, which includes the Dalgety Breeders Plate in 1991-92, BMW Plate in 1993, and the Tesio Stakes from 1994 to 2004. It was then called the Inglis Mile until 2008. In 2011, the Inglis Mile was hosted as the MVRC Trojan Hand Tools Stake. Racegoers have witnessed some of the keenest contests over the years with two dead heats in 2007 and 2008. Maslins Beach and Autumn Jeuney were locked in a battle in the home straight in 2007 while Miss Badoura and Bird Of Fire never gave up, only to cross the winning post together in 2008.

Events like the Group 3 How Now Stakes held at Caulfield and the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes held at Flemington provide a good launching pad for horses that contest in the Inglis Mile. The best milers may fancy their chances in premier group events such as the Group 1 Myer Classic held at Flemington and the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes. The Group 2 Crystal Mile scheduled in October on the same track is another event that horses may tackle after the Inglis Mile.

Over the years the race has been dominated by mares with track and distance form. 2011 Inglis Mile champion, Ocean Challenger came into the race after a minor placing in the 1600 M Bairnsdale Cup at Bairnsdale. Lady Lynette scored back to back victories in 2009-10 and was placed third in the 2011 edition of the Inglis Mile. In 2009, she also went on to finish a close second in the Group 1 Myer Classic. After an exciting finish in 2008, Birds Of Fire also won the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes at Flemington.

Other strong milers to win the Inglis Mile include Zanna in 2003, Valkyrie Diva in 2006, and Autumn Jeuney in 2007.

2011 Trojan Hand Tools Stakes

Ocean Challenger enjoyed the wet track, starting well and looking a much better horse than in her previous outings. After travelling nicely near the back of the field, Ocean Challenger moved forward and was in a group of five battling for the lead at the turn, with the battle continuing in the straight where she eventually prevailed to win by a narrow margin over Hi Belle and Lady Lynette.

2011 Trojan Hand Tools Stakes result

1. Ocean Challenger
2. Hi Belle
3. Lady Lynette

Then came:

4. Raspberries
5. Our Ella Belle
6. More Strawberries
7. Apennine
8. Little Surfer Girl
9. Eau De Dali