Five for Mintaka Lad

02 Oct 2025

A flurry of winning graduates this week was highlighted by Mintaka Lad scoring a metropolitan win at Eagle Farm on Wednesday. 

 

The six-year-old son of pensioned sire Deep Field settled in last position, coming widest on the turn and swamping his rivals on the line to win by a head.

 

Formerly trained by David Vandyke for his previous 21 starts, Mintaka Lad was having his first start for new trainer Paul Shailer. 

 

Lightly raced for a six-year-old, he now boasts five wins (three at city level), six placings and earnings topping $200,000.

 

A standout type as a foal, Mintaka Lad is the fourth foal from the regally-bred Irish Blues [NZ] (O’Reilly), a half-sister to four stakes winners, including Group 1 winners Rock Diva [NZ] and Shamrocker [NZ}.

 

He was foaled at Willow Park in 2019 for respected Kiwi breeder Vern Trillo, who retained the gelding to race. 

 

A pair of Fergus Doyle-bred mares also added to our winning tally during the week, with Midwest Princess (King's Legacy x Exclusive Lass) and Empress of Soul (Dundeel [NZ] x Extravaganza [GER]) breaking their maidens.