Latest news with #IAmInvincible
New Paper
12-06-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Getting up to Southern Speed
Kuala Lumpur racing fans are in for 13 races, including three features - the Four-Year-Old Sprint Championship, the Charity Cup and the Korea Racing Authority Trophy. If anything, the programme on offer says it is worth the trek to the Selangor Turf Club in Sungai Besi on June 15. A pity if you cannot make it as there are several exciting races on the card. And, as a sort of preview, some of the runners with assignments on the undercard were out strutting their stuff on the training track on the morning of June 11. Impressive among them were the quartet of Southern Speed, Lim's Fuji, Written Towin and Pacific Snoopy. All came away with flying colours. Especially Southern Speed. Entered in Race 3, the Richard Lim-trained-and-owned galloper worked like a winner, clocking a smart time of 38.8sec for the 600m trip. That workout told us that he is holding that last-start winning form. Flashback to June 1 and Southern Speed put up a dogged front-running show, leading from the get-go to hold off Healthy Baby. He took the race by the narrowest of margins - a nose. It was his fourth win and his first at his new home up north. Although already a seven-year-old, this son of I Am Invincible still manages to reinvent himself as a lion when on a racetrack. Yes, he looks good for back-to-back wins and, with winning jockey Troy See retaining the ride, Southern Speed looks like a good one to get the ball rolling early on June 15. Although Lim's Fuji was not out to get into any record books, he tossed in a good workout when clocking 41.2sec for the 600m. A one-time winner at Kranji when under the tutelage of Daniel Meagher, the Foxwedge six-year-old is still looking to break through for a first Malaysian victory. Now with Lawson Moy, he has a second-place finish to his name. That was in a race on March 9 when he went down by three parts of a length to Red Sun. His form then seemed to take a dip but his connections would have been pleased with his last-start effort when third to Pacific Sonic over the 1,200m. Moy has entered him for a 1,700m race on June 15. It will be his first attempt over the trip but given the fact that he likes to come off the pace in his races, the longer trip might be just what he wants. So hang around for Race 13. It might be worth your while. Earlier on June 15, in the 11th event on the day, mark down Pacific Snoopy as a mare to follow. She worked up a storm on the training track, clocking a swift 37.5sec for the 600m. From trainer David Kok's yard, the Hellbent five-year-old showed a return to form when running third to Paletas at her last start on May 25. Ridden by Oscar Chavez, she did not have any luck in the running and was obliged to race wide for most of the 1,150m trip. A Malaysian winner over the 1,020m on March 1, she has to negotiate the 1,400m on June 15, which should not pose any problems as she has won over the trip. That was at Kranji on Jan 20, 2024 when ridden by Vlad Duric, she came off fourth spot at the top of the Kranji straight to beat Ocean Jupiter by half a length. She is looking for her third career win and with star jockey Wong Chin Chuen flying in from his Seoul base for the ride, she will have loads of pals on and off course. On current form, both horse and rider could - by the end of the day's racing - seal those friendships. Then, and also from the training track, there was that 39.2sec run turned in by Written Towin. From the stables of Nick Selvan, the son of Written By will trot to the start in Race 5. It is another one of those sharp sprints over 1,100m and, going on his previous showings - especially when racing at Kranji - the trip should be right up his alley. Now a four-year-old, Written Towin has been getting close to breaking through for his second success and his first Malaysian victory. So far, and although he has tossed in a second-place finish and three fourth-placed efforts, the win has been elusive - not quite a reflection of his name. To his credit, Written Towin won a trial on May 20. That was over the 1,000m. His last start on May 25, when he finished a well-beaten sixth to Surrey Hills, was over the 1,200m. Selvan will be hoping the drop back in trip to the 1,100m will bring out the best in the sprinter. brian@
7NEWS
04-06-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Stallion announcement signals the end for ‘once-in-a-lifetime' champion Pride Of Jenni
Australia's reigning Horse of the Year and the country's leading stallion will meet later this year with Pride Of Jenni confirmed for a meeting with I Am Invincible. Yarraman Park Stud, in conjunction with Pride Of Jenni's owner Tony Ottobre, announced on Tuesday night that the three-time Group 1-winning daughter of Pride Of Dubai had been booked into the star resident of its Hunter Valley farm. 'I Am Invincible, what he's been able to do is incredible,' Ottobre said. 'I'm in awe of what he's been able to produce so I think we'll get a good one out of Pride Of Jenni.' The announcement effectively signals the end of Pride Of Jenni's career, which took in 39 starts for 10 wins and 12 minor placings. The seven-year-old's most recent appearance came in the Group 1 Doomben Cup on May 24, when she finished 10th of 12 in the race won by Antino. She announced herself a star during Melbourne Cup Week in 2023, when she won the Empire Rose Stakes and Champions Mile in the space of eight days, and returned in the second half of the season to win the $4 million All-Star Mile and Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Ottobre said like during her racing career, when Sammy Waters was the loyal companion of the Ciaron Maher-trained mare, Pride Of Jenni would have a designated carer as a broodmare. 'A horse like this only comes once in a lifetime, and she'll have her own carer throughout her entire life now,' he said. 'So, wherever she goes, there will be a carer going with her. We're bringing in Caroline Kirwin from Ireland. 'Prior to that, we had Samantha Waters at the Ciaron Maher stables. Wherever Pride Of Jenni went, Sam was there all the time, and she never left her side at the stables. 'Now I've specially employed Caroline Kirwin from Ireland, who will be arriving soon to go through the breeding journey with Pride Of Jenni — wherever Pride Of Jenni goes, she's going.' Pride Of Jenni is one of the highest-profile bookings for I Am Invincible, who is in contention for a fourth straight win in the Australian Champion Stallion award. The son of Invincible Spirit will stand at a fee of $220,000, including GST, for the 2025 breeding season.
News.com.au
03-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Reigning horse of the year Pride Of Jenni to visit Yarraman Park stallion I Am Invincible this breeding season
Yarraman Park has confirmed that its three-time champion stallion I Am Invincible will be the first mating for reigning horse of the year Pride Of Jenni this breeding season. I Am Invincible, who will command a $220,000 service fee this season, leads this year's sires tables for both individual winners (180) and two-year-old stakes winners (5). He's the sire of champion sprinter Imperatriz and this year produced Vinrock, the winner of the Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes in Sydney. It looks a match made in heaven with Pride Of Jenni, a winner of 10 races – including her dashing victory in the 2024 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes – and more than $10 million in prizemoney. Pride Of Jenni's owner Tony Ottobre said in a Yarraman Park announcement that he was 'in awe' of what I Am Invincible had done in his stallion career so far. 'I did look at the top stallions that were already here and I Am Invincible came up as a really good cross with her line of Street Cry, but also the fact that it's doubling to a superstar broodmare, Eljazzi,' he said. 'Eljazzi being the mother of Rafha, being the mother of Invincible Spirit. And Eljazzi, who's the mother of Al Anood who's the mother Pride Of Dubai (Pride Of Jenni's sire).'
Courier-Mail
03-06-2025
- General
- Courier-Mail
Warwick Farm preview: Key factors to help Bjorn Baker's mare Starmae
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Trainer Bjorn Baker is hoping a drop in grade and weight can help Starmae get back to winning form when she steps out on her home track. The four-year-old has been good in his three starts this preparation including her last two runs in Saturday metropolitan company when fifth to Memoria at Randwick and seventh to Oh Diamond Lil at the Scone stand-alone meeting on May 17 Starmae carried 56kg and 57kg respectively in those two races and drops down to 54.5kg after the claim of apprentice Olivia Chambers in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m). 'This is a good race for her. It's a drop back in grade after running in Saturday grade in her last two where she acquitted herself well,' said Baker. 'She gets a good drop in weight with Olivia's claim and she is one from one on this mare having won at Wyong last year. 'Starmae galloped outstanding on Saturday. She was really sharp. 'She may have just taken a couple of runs to get to her peak but this is a good scenario over 1300m again, back in grade, lovely gate (barrier 4) and no weight. 'This is her race to run well.' Baker also saddles up consistent gelding Bat Out Of Hell in the same race where he has drawn barrier 11 but feels he will be better suited once he steps up over a little further. 'He probably needs 1400m and 1500m but he has to start somewhere,' he said. 'He is a horse who always tries his hardest and he has trialled better this time in better than he has in previous preparations. 'We're confident he is going to have a good preparation. Whether it's this week or whether he just gets run under his belt and he'll be ready to go.' Baker was looking forward to seeing Swordplay make her debut at Canterbury last week but she was a late scratching after getting her leg up in the barriers. The daughter of Shalaa has shown plenty of ability and speed to lead all-the-way for big wins in her two barrier trials under Rachel King. 'This is obviously 'Take Two' after she was scratched at the barriers last Wednesday which was unfortunate,' he said. 'She's a lovely, promising filly and she couldn't be any more professional than she has been in her trials.' Swordplay has drawn barrier 6 in the TAB Handicap (1100m) with King aboard. 'She has good speed and should roll forward to settle in the first few. Hopefully she brings her trials form to race day,' Baker said. Baker also has Jarrito set to debut in the same race. The daughter of I Am Invincible and Group 1 winner Spright has placed in both trials but will improve with race experience according to Baker. 'She is lovely filly who is still a little bit raw but has done enough in her trials to say she is ready to go to the races,' he said. 'She is definitely going to be better for the run but she is an exciting filly. 'She has drawn an ideal gate and she will hopefully get a smother just behind the speed. She has got a really nice turn of foot.' Baker was pleased with Regimental Colours in her first campaign where she placed in two of her three runs at Canterbury and is looking forward to her return in the Hitotsu At Arrowfield Plate (1100m). 'She has improved a lot both mentally and physically from what she did that preparation,' he said. 'Her trials have been good and while she is open to improvement, she is there to run well.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Well-bred filly Manaajem kicked off her career with a win and trainer Peter Snowden is quietly confident she can start her second campaign the same way. A three-quarter sister to recent Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes winner Charm Stone and a full sister to Snowden's dual Listed winner Najmaty, Manaajem showed nice ability winning her two trials before debuting with a big win at Wyong on December 31. After pulling up lame when fifth to Alliri on the Kensington 15 days later and was spelled. 'She was just immature and jarred up in her knees,' said Snowden. 'That's why we gave her a good spell and she seems a lot stronger this time in. We have had no issues with her at all.' The daughter of Tassort has trialled stylishly ahead of her return in the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1100m) when she has drawn barrier 3 with Tommy Berry aboard. 'Both her trials have been quite good. We have always thought quite a bit of her and we are pleased with the way she has come back,' Snowden said. 'She has a good draw and Tommy has ridden her in nearly all her work and in her trials. 'We are quietly confident she can run well.' Snowden was hoping to get a maiden win on the board for Catonahotinroof at Canberra last start but things didn't go to plan when she missed the start by seven or eight lengths before finishing less than three lengths behind Celestial Breeze in fifth place. 'She just hopped up in the air as the gates opened and lost all chance,' Snowden said. 'She still ran a slashing race to finish as close as she did.' The three-year-old was sent back to the trials where she came from last to beat Wonderstorm at Warwick Farm on May 26 and will make her presence felt in the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m). 'She trialled really well the other day. She handles the soft track without any problems,' said Snowden. 'That might play into her hands a little bit this week. 'She has been up a while but is still in good shape and certainly capable of running well.' Snowden is happy with the way Earth Dance is coming along but said wants further than the 1600m of the Vinnie Three-Time Champion Sire Handicap. 'He will go to 1900 metres at his third start and will be better suited.'
News.com.au
29-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
‘She's a nice filly': Richard and Will Freedmans to saddle up I Am Brave at Rosehill Gardens
I Am Brave, the brilliant filly who made headlines at the Scone Cup carnival, puts her unbeaten record on the line in the Midway Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Trainers Richard and Will Freedman sent I Am Brave to the races for the first time at Scone two weeks and the three-year-old filly dominated her rivals to win a 1000m maiden. She was heavily backed into $1.75 favouritism and scored with authority, recording a slick 57.07s despite the soft 7 track rating. The Freedmans could have chosen an easier race than a Midway for I Am Brave's second start but it is an indication of how highly they race the filly that are prepared to chance their arm at Rosehill. 'We thought she was very good at Scone,'' Richard Freedman said. 'More importantly she has come through that race really well so we are keen to run her on Saturday. 'But it has taken us a while to get her to the track, and there have been reasons for that, so we don't want to push her too far in her first race preparation. 'So, this will probably be her last run before we give her a break. She's a nice filly and we will be even better again in the new season.'' I Am Brave, a daughter of Yarraman Park's super sire I Am Invincible, is at $4.60 in early TAB Fixed Odds betting and is challenging Harry's Bar ($4.40) for favouritism. The Freedman stable also prepared Walking Painting to win at the Scone Carnival and the gelding will line up at Rosehill in the Captivant At Kia Ora Handicap (1800m). 🎨 Walking Painting leads all the way and wins the first at Scone at juicy odds! @AlyshaCollett | @R1CHARDFREEDMAN | @willfreedman — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025 • Unlike stablemate I Am Brave, former French galloper Walking Painting was unwanted in betting at $21 but broke through for his first Australian win with an all-the-way effort in a Scone Midway. 'Walking Painting's win rated quite highly for a Midway,'' Freedman said. 'I think the key to him is it has taken a while to work out his quirks but we feel now that he prefers soft tracks. 'We had some issues with his hind fetlocks and we had to re-shoe him different ways to work out what was best for him.'' Freedman is also optimistic Zoubaby ($26) can run an improved race back on a firmer Eagle Farm track for Saturday's Listed $160,000 Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m). Zoubaby hangs for @G1TySchil to win at Warwick FarmðŸ'� — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 7, 2024 Meanwhile, Freedman's improving filly Let's Fly, who romped home by nearly six lengths at Randwick last week, will be given her chance in the Group 1 $700,000 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on June 7. 'We paid the late nomination for her during the week and the plan is for her to go to the Oaks,'' Freedman said. 'She's come through her Randwick win in really good order and we feel she deserves her opportunity.''
