Inglis Millenium second favourite Jacaranda could stay in Melbourne on Saturday, despite drawing ideally for the $2 million contest at Randwick.
Ben, Will and JD Hayes will wait for the fillies Blue Diamond Prelude barrier draw to confirm if the half-sister to Sixties will head to Sydney where she has gate six for the race restricted to Inglis graduates.
“We will have a jockey for her in next 24 hours up there, but are looking at Caulfield as well, if she drew a gate there,” JD Hayes said.
“She was very good in a three-horse field at Seymour, but there are some advantages by keeping her in Melbourne.”
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Plagiarism was made the $5.50 favourite after a middle draw of gate 10, while Queenslander Star Of Jamaica, from the Munce yard, is also on the second line with Jacaranda, which carries the Coolmore navy blue.
Small field but might impressive debut winner for 1st season Home Affairs
Jacaranda (2f Home Affairs x Gracie’s Lass) for @lindsayparkrace
300k buy for @TomMagnier from @VineryStud at @inglis_sales EasterHalf-sister to Artorius and Sixties@CoolmoreAus pic.twitter.com/yrSgfwwR4F
— Breednet (@BreednetNews) January 15, 2026
Jacaranda was $11 to $7 after the draw, but would only be able to count Millenium prizemoney to the Golden Slipper if she won it, and then only as a regular Saturday race.
If she stays in Melbourne, the prizemoney would count towards the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper and she would also get some black type.
“We like her a lot and want to get the right decision,” Hayes added.
“We have a good family connection with one of the owners, Paul Shanahan, who is good mates with Dad and it is nice to have a good horse for them.”
The Hayes brothers will send Nervous Witness, a former Group performer in Hong Kong, for his first outing in nearly 18 months.
“He got to a good level in Hong Kong, but hasn’t raced for a while, and it will be good to see him back,” Hayes said. “He is a naturally very fast horse and it is a good starting point for him.”
