Invincibella Does it Again in Fillies & Mares

Invincibella Does it Again in Fillies & Mares

Chris Waller has Gai Waterhouse’s all-time record of Magic Millions wins in his sights after saddling up classy mare Invincibella for back-to-back wins in the $1 million Magic Millions Fillies and Mares (1300m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The daughter of I An Invincible carried the 59kg top weight and was given a textbook ride by Hugh Bowman to edge out Godolphin mare Manicure in the final 50m of the race.

The win gave Waller, who earlier prepared Tumultuous for back-to-back wins in the Magic Millions Trophy, a feature race double for the second consecutive year.

“Hugh Bowman gave her a lovely ride from a good barrier and with the small margin, I think that was the difference in the finish,” Waller said.

“She’s got a bit of class, it was good to see her get the upper hand over the last 50m.

“I’d like to go a little bit longer yet so who knows what might be achievable.

“It’s a great day to be training winners.”

While he was left to rue the pedestrian tempo that suited James McDonald aboard Manicure,, Bowman praised Invicibella’s tenacity to find another gear in the final furlong of the race.

“The pace was too slow and the favourite has things its own way and I was just lucky I was able to find his back at the corner,” Bowman said.

“This is the perfect distance for this mare, she’s not at her best at 1200m and 1400m is a bit too far to see her at her best.

“She won this race last year and her form has been very good in the subsequent 12 months so she’s come back here with a bigger weight this year.

“I’m so proud of her, she thoroughly deserves it.”

A $185,000 purchase at 2015 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Invincibella has now won more than $2 million in prizemoney for connections.

Waller made a splash during the week with the purchase of several yearlings by I Am Invincible at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, including Lot 204 for $1.3 million and Lot 446 for $1.1 million.