Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner early in its career chasing maiden success, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
It's all about I Am Invincible on Wednesday at Randwick’s Kensington meeting. In the first, Mergelia makes her debut and features Vinnie as her damsire. With $3.9million worth of horses in race 2 at Kensington, it’s hard to pick just one or two debutants out of the race. Looking Ahead is taking a punt on one of the few who didn’t go to the sales – Maori Chief.
Kensington, Race 1, 12:50pm, AEST, Drinkwise P., $60,000, 1100m
Mergelia, 2-year-old filly (Justify (USA) x Invincibella (I Am Invincible))
Mergelia (Justify {USA}), the first foal of Group 1 winner Invincibella makes her debut for the Waller stable. Sold by Coolmore Stud at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale to Yulong Investments for $750,000, Mergelia has had plenty of experience at the trials in preparation for this outing. Waller has given the ride to James McDonald and Mergelia will jump from barrier 10.
Mergelia as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Justify’s son City Of Troy won the G1 Epsom Derby this year, while locally, his 2-year-old colt Storm Boy won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and ran third in the G1 Golden Slipper. Justify’s local group winners also include Learning To Fly, Air Assault and Star Of Justice.
Invincibella is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Secret Blaze (Sizzling) and Listed winner Extreme Flight (Extreme Choice). Winner of 12 of her 43 starts and over $3million, Invincibella made her debut as a January 2-year-old, running fifth. From there she placed three times from three more starts at two, before winning her first race while first up at three. A $185,000 yearling purchase by Star Thoroughbreds, Invincibella was sold as a broodmare prospect for $1.3million to Coolmore. Her first two foals have sold for a collective $1.375million as her current yearling, a colt by Wootton Bassett was sold to Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock for $625,000.
Kensington, Race 2, 1:25pm, AEST, Castelvecchio at Arrowfield P., $60,000, 1100m
Maori Chief, 2-year-old colt (I Am Invincible x Heatherly {Lonhro})
The second at Randwick’s Kensington track on Wednesday looks to be an interesting contest with $1.4million colt Dawn Service (Justify {USA}) making his debut for the Waterhouse/Bott team, while several other expensive horses make their debut.
Chris Waller will bring two debutants to this race, $675,000 yearling Now Is The Hour (I Am Invincible) and trial winner Maori Chief (I Am Invincible) who is Looking Ahead’s choice.
I Am Invincible | Standing at Yarraman Park
I Am Invincible is represented by four horses in this field, the others being Fortingall and Kingdom Undersiege. The sire of 108 stakes winners has enjoyed a fantastic season thanks to Imperatriz and NZ Group 1 winner Move to Strike.
Maori Chief is the third foal from G2 Rubiton S. winner Heatherly, who won six races and placed twice at Group 1 level. Her first foal, Miss Glenn (Written Tycoon) is a winner, while her second foal is the 3-year-old Group 3 winner Red Resistance (Russian Revolution). He won the G3 Canonbury S. last season and ran second to Cylinder (Exceed And Excel) in the G2 Todman S.
Looking Back
Our selections for Tuesday: Plea and Flyin’ The Pin both faded.
