Trainer Kris Lees had high expectations for Rivellino early on, and his decision to secure James McDonald for the ride paid off spectacularly with a victory in the $2 million Inglis Millennium.

Exclusive to horses purchased at Inglis sales, the race also provides valuable prizemoney credit towards qualification for the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) next month.

Initially passed in at the 2024 Inglis Classic sale, Rivellino later secured a spot in the race after a $180,000 deal. Despite being trained in Newcastle, Lees opted for two trial runs in Sydney to prepare the colt for the 1100-metre event.

“I thought it was easier to take the horse to J-Mac rather than get him to come up and ride it (at Newcastle),” Lees explained about McDonald’s involvement.

The decision to apply blinkers in his second trial also played a key role in Rivellino’s strong performance.

“They went on at his second trial, and he hasn’t had them on since he raced, so we thought we’d keep them up our sleeve with a view that he’s probably more a seven-furlong horse, but he was pretty good today,” Lees said.

Looking ahead, Lees is considering multiple options for Rivellino’s next race. The colt is a likely contender for the Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on February 22, but the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m) during The Championships remains a backup plan.

Rivellino races in partnership with the Throsby family, and Lees highlighted the sentimental value of the red and green silks.

“Those colours have been worn by some very good horses, and my first winner (Cherokee Lass) back in the nineties had them in a maiden at Newcastle,” Lees recalled. “They go back a long way. He has got a lot of upside, and it is a special feeling today.”

Within The Law, trained by Bjorn Baker, put up a strong fight but fell short by a narrow margin.

“We had the winner’s back and challenged it late, but he just had a big enough lead on me,” jockey Jason Collett said.