Interject – the fresh force in Vicbred countdown

Buzz filly Interject is looming as the fresh force in the countdown to harness racing’s rich Vicbred Super Series.

While most of Victoria’s best fillies were locking horns in the recent Breeders Crown series and some have since zipped over to SA for its Southern Cross series, Interject has been turning heads in lead-up races.

But she steps up to the big dance for the first time in Saturday night’s Benstud Standardbreds Youthful Stakes at Melton and then it’s onto the Vicbred series, which culminates with a Group 1 final on New Year’s Eve at Melton.

The superbly-bred Interject, by Always B Miki, is bred and raced by breeding giant Alabar and it’s general manager, Brett Coffey, said the filly missed the Breeders Crown because of a technicality, which he hoped would prove a blessing.

“We found out the rules required a stable return to show she’d been with Emma (Stewart) and Clayton (Tonkin) for 28 days. She didn’t have that, so she wasn’t eligible to run in the Crown,” he said.

“While it was a bit disappointing, she is still quite green and a big filly, so going straight into a series that strong may not have been ideal for her.

“She’s had a couple of runs for experience now and gets another this week before the Vicbred series, so hopefully missing the Crown will prove a blessing.”

Interject has looked special winning both runs by big margins and in quick time and she will dominate betting from the pole on Saturday.

Top driver Greg Sugars will make a hit-and-run break from his time in NSW for the Inter Dominion series to replace the suspended Bailey McDonough aboard Interject this week.

The rampaging Stewart and Tonkin stable had a remarkable seven of the first eight home in the Breeders Crown 2YO final, including impressive winner Encipher.

They have openly declared Interject is up with any of them on talent.

Encipher will be chasing further feature race glory in the Southern Cross final at Globe Derby on Saturday night, around the same time Interject lines up at Melton.

Interject is the second-last foal, and the last filly, out of the mighty producing mare Intrude, who is best known as the mother of former champion racemare Make Mine Cullen.

“We bought Intrude a few years back in the hope of breeding a filly to then breed from her in time and keep the family going,” Coffey said. “We got two colts and this filly before Intrude sadly broke a leg and couldn’t be saved.

“This filly is a fantastic type, so big and strong. She’ll be great to breed from in time and it’s a bonus she’s showing this much potential on the track.”

It’s by far Interject’s biggest test despite barrier one with a rise in class to take on Breeders Crown finalists in Relentless Me (barrier two) and Just Hope (four).

Stewart and Tonkin also have two key players in the colts and geldings Youthful Stakes final on Saturday night: Anotherbigman (gate two, Greg Sugars) and Khafaji (six, Chris Alford).

The other highlight at Melton is ageing champion trotter Tornado Valley’s return and quest to top $1 million in career earnings.

The rising 10-year-old and former Inter Dominion champion has gate four and looks the leader.

Tornado Valley heads into the race a record of 107 starts for 38 wins, 31 placings and earnings of $999,797.

He will earn $480 just for competing so will reach the milestone, but no doubt trainers Andy and Kate Gath would love him to do it with a win.

To view fields for Melton on Saturday click here.

By Adam Hamilton for HRV