Mornington trainer Matt Laurie capped off a memorable week in Sydney, following Tuesday’s Vinery Stud Stakes triumph, by claiming the prestigious Inglis Sires’ 2025 with his unbeaten colt, Vinrock, in a historic victory at Royal Randwick.
2025 Inglis Sires’ winner Vinrock was too strong holding off his rivals in his Sydney debut. Photo: Bradley Photos.
“Lost for words. Incredible,” Laurie told Sky Thoroughbred Central, reflecting on the remarkable achievement.
Kicking off the elite Group 1 action on Day 1 of The Championships, the $1 million Inglis Sires’ (1400m) saw Vinrock, a son of I Am Invincible, etch his name in the record books.
He became the first two-year-old since Keepers in 1983 to complete the coveted VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes / ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes double without an intervening run.
“Vinrock became the first horse in history to win the VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes and the Sydney edition without a run in between since Keepers (1983)!” a racing historian noted.
Just four days after his star filly Treasurethe Moment secured the rescheduled Vinery Stud Stakes, Laurie and his team were back in the winner’s circle as Vinrock maintained his perfect record, securing his third consecutive victory with a hard-fought Inglis Sires’ win on his Sydney debut.
“Great performance from the horse,” Laurie added.
“Last race they really got out wide and they were smacking the line, I was a bit worried about the inside draw but he’s tough as nails.
“And three from three, a Vinny (I Am Invincible) colt, I’m told that it’s his first two-year-old Group 1 winner, it’s incredible.
“He’s a ripping colt. He’s got a good brain, he’s fantastic to ride, he’s got great recovery and he’s just tough.
“You put it to him, I mean he was under siege there and he just kept coming. Incredible effort to do all this in his first preparation.”
Ridden by Mark Zahra, who had partnered the colt in his previous two wins, Vinrock ($3.40F) had attracted significant support, starting as the clear favourite.
The Randwick track, which had improved to a Good (4) rating, provided ideal conditions for the talented juvenile.
Zahra positioned Vinrock perfectly, making a decisive move up the inside with 300m remaining and hitting the front inside the final furlong.
Vinrock displayed his tenacity, holding off a determined challenge from Ciaron Maher‘s State Visit ($18), who finished a close second.
“He’s a gentleman to ride, you can put him anywhere and I was just so happy I came up here and trialled him the other day, just to get him in behind them and have a look because he’s never been in behind them ever,” Zahra explained.
“So, I was happy to take a trail today. I said to Matt, he was like ‘just find your way to come off the fence,’ and I said ‘well, it’s a Group One, they’re not just going to let me off the fence’.
“So, the best we can do is box-seat and I’ve walked the track, and I knew the fence was no good, but you only had to come two or three off and I believe it’s not so bad.
“So, I just waited to get my time and then he took a little while to hit his straps but when I got a head on Gai Waterhouse’s runner he dug deep.
“I felt like they were coming to him, but he held late strongly.
“He’s a winner. He’s unbeaten and he loves winning.
“He’s an absolute gentleman to ride and it was a good job because they were a fair way away from him, so he couldn’t see them, but he still had his head out and was having a crack.
“It was a good win. Well done to Matt, he’s done a great job with him.”
Buffalo ($18), trained by David Atkins, finished a close third, completing a tight Inglis Sires’ trifecta.
Vinrock is now being considered for the Group 1 $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on April 19, with Zahra expressing confidence in the colt’s ability to handle the mile distance.
“Can’t see why not,” was the jockey’s assessment over Vinrock getting a mile.
Militarize (2023) was the last horse to achieve the Inglis Sires’/Champagne Stakes double, and Vinrock has now been installed as the $3 favourite in the all-in Champagne Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes.
2025 Inglis Sires’ Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | VINROCK | Matt Laurie | Mark Zahra | 1 | 56.5kg | $3.40F | |||
| 2 | 5 | STATE VISIT | Ciaron Maher | Jason Collett | 0.21L | 5 | 56.5kg | $18 | ||
| 3 | 6 | BUFFALO | David Atkins | Zac Purton | 0.28L | 4 | 56.5kg | $18 | ||
| 4 | 2 | WODETON | Chris Waller | Ryan Moore | 0.63L | 9 | 56.5kg | $3.50 | ||
| 5 | 1 | RIVELLINO | Kris Lees | Hugh Bowman | 0.74L | 6 | 56.5kg | $4.20 | ||
| 6 | 10 | BELLAZAINE | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 1.52L | 7 | 54.5kg | $11 | ||
| 7 | 9 | FEDERALIST | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Nash Rawiller | 2.33L | 8 | 56.5kg | $26 | ||
| 8 | 4 | PRESTIGE FOREVER | David Brideoake & Matt Jenkins | Jamie Mott | 2.62L | 10 | 56.5kg | $14 | ||
| 9 | 8 | NAVY PILOT | Ciaron Maher | Zac Lloyd | 3.03L | 2 | 56.5kg | $51 | ||
| 10 | 7 | NORDIC VIKING | John Sargent | Craig Williams | 9.84L | 3 | 56.5kg | $51 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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