Inglis graduates Metal Bender and Road To Rock are poised to continue their rivalry in the G1 Doomben Cup after fighting out the G2 Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Metal Bender (5h Danasinga – Jacqwin by Bluebird) was purchased for $160,000 at the 2007 Inglis Easter Sale and he has now won more than $1 million.  The Hollindale win was a triumph for Chris Waller who took over the stallion’s training earlier this year.

The four-year-old was previously prepared by Alan Denham before owner David Fuller sent the horse to Waller.  “He came to me in good shape,” Waller said.  “The Denhams made him and he’s a very good horse.  It was a privilege to be asked.”

The Waikato Stud-bred gelding won both the Rosehill and Randwick Guineas under Denham but a stifle bone injury sidelined him for the spring carnivals.

Metal Bender cost $160,000 from the draft of Waikato Stud at the 2007 Easter Yearling Sale.   His sire Danasinga was based in NZ before transferring to Baerami Thoroughbreds in NSW.  He also sired Beaveroo to win the Wagga 3yo Guineas on Friday.

Metal Bender’s dam Jacqwin is a winning half-sister to the Danehill sires Keeper (Cambridge Stud) and Saint Thomas (Woodwinds Farm).  Her other black-type performer is Zabeel filly Southern Venture.  The mare has a Savabeel yearling and a filly foal by O’Reilly.

Road To Rock (5h Encosta De Lago – Trewornan by Midyan) gave the winner too big a start on Saturday but trainer Anthony Cummings is confident he can turn the tables in the Doomben Cup.  He was a $100,000 buy out of the Willow Park draft at the 2006 Inglis Easter Sale and has earned over $1.21 million thanks to Randwick G1 wins in the George Main and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.