Invader Takes Out Sires
By Brad Gray
It was thought the two-year-old fillies had the measure of the colts and geldings but Invader ruled supreme in the Group One Inglis Sires (1400m) at Randwick.
The Snowden-trained Snitzel colt was scratched from the Golden Slipper and it looked to prove a blessing in disguise.
“I can say that now but I didn’t say that on the Friday night when we had the stone bruise. Anyway, it was what it was so it might have worked for the better,” reflected co-trainer Peter Snowden.
“He’s always looked to us like he’s wanted 1400m and it was an absolute peach of a ride. When you go back and look at that, I know he drew a decent gate but to manoeuvre and get to where he did from where he was something to behold. It went a long way to the horse winning today.”
It’s likely Invader will press on to the Champagne Stakes but Snowden is mindful that he has been in work for a long time.
“As long as he pulls up well. He was in work in November, went to the Gold Coast, only had a ten day break. He’s tough but how tough is that to go to another two weeks. Time will tell.”
Hugh Bowman added yet another Group One to his growing tally and was impressed with what Invader offered when asked to extend.
“With the fillies winning all the majors so far this season that makes this horse the best colt of his era, as a two-year-old, so that makes it very exciting for his connections, and to be a part of his ride is very special for me,” said Bowman.
“We drew a nice gate today which enabled me to follow Tulip which I though was one of the main dangers and when I needed him to move he was able to give me the extension that I needed and I thought he won with authority in the end.”
Race favourite Frolic and Tulip both failed to reproduce their Golden Slipper efforts.
“She had too much work to do at the half mile. I tried to make up a bit of ground down the side of the track but that took away her sprint at the end,” said Tommy Berry of Frolic.
Meanwhile, Kerrin McEvoy reported that Tulip “didn’t settle well today.”
Check out the results for Day 1 of The Championships here