Chris Waller’s stable is sure to be a force to be reckoned with in the G1 Tatt’s Tiara in a fortnight’s time following excellent dress rehearsals from a trio of his mares at Eagle Farm.
Invincibella (I Am Invincible) successfully defended her G2 Pages Even Hire Dane Ripper S. title on Saturday with stablemate Prompt Response (Beneteau), who won the race two years ago, a gallant third and Noire (Foxwedge) finishing solidly for fourth.
It was another top day for Yarraman Park’s star stallion I Am Invincible, with Victorem taking out the Listed Jim Beam Black Hinkler Handicap two races later.
“Invincibella is a multiple Group 2 winner now and if she can get a Group 1 in two weeks’ time she’s closed out her career in good style,” Waller said.
“Noire ran a very good race and Prompt Response was much better as well so they’ll all head through to the Tatt’s Tiara. It’s great to be back at Eagle Farm and if it [the track] races likes this again they’ll be hard to beat.”
Invincibella had hinted she was approaching her best form again when a lead-up sixth in the G3 Moreton S.
“She’s coming right at the right time of the year,” Waller said. “She’s been out of form I guess you could say, but she likes a good track. She went missing a bit in the autumn on those wet tracks.”
Invincibella was quickly into stride under rider James McDonald to sit comfortably behind the pace and she drove strongly to the line to hold out the late charge from Platinum Angel (Snitzel), who gave a much improved display.
“She’s a mighty mare. She tries her best and that’s all you can ask of her,” McDonald said. “Her work had been a bit lack lustre, but she obviously saves it for race day.
“Chris and his team have done a mighty job with a few gear changes to keep her mind on the job.”
McDonald said the 5-year-old began so well on Saturday that he considered going to the front before wisely opting to take a sit.
“They did crawl, which suited her, and she did jump well and I was tempted to take it up. Then I thought if I can get a follow the whole way she would give me a better kick and that’s what she did.”
A $185,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase for Star Thoroughbreds, Invincibella is out of the unraced Galileo (Ire) mare Abscond who has done a fine job at stud as she has also produced the Listed Galilee Series Final winner Secret Blaze (Sizzling).
Invincibella as a yearling
A half-sister to the G1 Victoria Derby placegetter Light Up Manhattan (Manhattan Rain), Abscond is a daughter of the Zabeel (NZ) mare Luminata (NZ), a half-sister to the G1 Adelaide Cup winner The Hind (NZ) (McGinty (NZ).
Invincibella’s barn mate Prompt Response did a fine job to stick on for third after making the play out in front under her topweight of 60kg while Noire hit the line strongly from well back in the running.
Written by Paul Vettise for TDN AusNZ
