The ‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira enjoyed an early double on Day 1 of The Championships in Sydney with the Brazilian hoop posting a runaway upset in the 2023 Inglis Sires’ aboard the Chris Waller-trained Militarize.

2023 Inglis Sires’ winner Militarize was huge winning the Group 1 by over three-lengths off a luckless Slipper run. Photo: Steve Hart.

Earlier on card Moreira took out the Chairman’s Quality aboard the Waller-trained Sydney Cup hope Surefire before an emphatic victory in the meeting’s opening Group 1 race, the $1 million Inglis Sires’ (1400m) for the two-year-olds.

“Great to have Joao here. It’s been obvious to see the way the public perceive him, he’s a real rock star,” Waller said of the Brazilian jockey.

“That’s what Australian racing needs on these big days, whether it’s Cup week or whether it’s Everest day, we’ve got to have all the stars, horses, jockeys and it creates a great vibe.”  

In a master training performance from Waller he was able to get progressive Dundeel colt Militarize back in winning form at big odds on the back of a luckless 13^th in the Golden Slipper as a 100/1 shot.

“He was lucky to stay on his feet. Thankfully all the horses came home safely, that’s how we saw the race,” Waller said of Militarize in the Slipper speaking to Sky Thoroughbred Central after the Sires’.

“I wouldn’t say we were confident (today), but we knew we had a lovely horse. He’s done a great job and it’s an absolute honour.”

Bred for further the youngster relished a Heavy-rated Randwick track for the ATC Sires’ with Moreira making use of the inside alley on the 20/1 outsider.

“The weather has thrown a few question marks over some horses but you’ve seen others excel so we’ve got a very nice colt here and he’s done a great job to win here today,” Waller said. 

“He was a horse we considered just needed a little bit of time and we haven’t put him under too much pressure to get anywhere.  

“His early races have all been very encouraging, even when he got beaten here in the small field, I loved the way, the last 100m.

“He still got through the line and to me, showed that this was a nice race for him. The Golden Slipper was a step on that path.”  

Bases Loaded was sharp out the gates and fired up to lead the field around, while the well-backed favourite Cylinder from the Godolphin stable was never in the mix travelling in the second half throughout.

On the home straight Militarize came out firing on all cylinders, storming to the front with a furlong left to travel and charging home right up the middle of the track.

The up-and-comer was too strong for his rivals drawing away for an emphatic three-and-a-half-length victory over the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Don Corleone ($7.50).

The sole filly in the field, the Kris Lees-trained Pier Pressure, was enormous improving on her fifth over 1100m in a mid-week at the Kensington track to run third and complete the Inglis Sires trifecta as a $151 outsider ahead of the VRC Sires’ winner Veight.

Waller has now won this year’s Golden Slipper with Shinzo and his first ATC Sires’ with Militarize who could be set for a Randwick return in a fortnight getting up to a mile for a shot at the Group 1 $600,000 Champagne Stakes (1600m) on All Aged Stakes Day.

“I’m not sure (about the Champagne),” he said.

“I’ll talk to Mr Teo, Henry Field and all their team. We’ll see what they’ve got to say.”

King’s Legacy (2020) was the last horse to complete the Inglis Sires’ – Champagne Stakes double.

After winning the Sydney Sires’ like an odd-on favourite to hand Waller his 146^th Group 1 training success, Militarize is sure to be installed as an early favourite in Champagne Stakes 2023 betting at Ladbrokes.com.au.

2023 Inglis Sires’ Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.