The Invitation: Party of Five
Published: 23 Oct 2021
Too fast for the Aussies - Kiwi mare Entriviere leaving Vangelic in her wake at Kembla Grange
It's an exciting day at Royal Randwick with the first running of The Invitation which is exclusively for mares that have been invited by Racing NSW. We've ended up with an evenly-matched field of 12 and as always Adrian Sciglitano has narrowed it down to five key chances.
ENTRIVIERE
5yo Bay mare | TAVISTOCK (NZ) x MARCEY’S BELT
The Kiwi raider Entriviere will start favourite in the inaugural running of the $2 million The Invitation over 1,400 metres when she lines up for her third Australian start. She’s taken Sydney by storm since arriving earlier in the Spring, making a statement first-up in the Sheraco Stakes before an unlucky run in the Golden Pendant, where she didn’t lose me as an admirer. She has since gone toe-to-toe with 2020 Everest winner Classique Legend at the barrier trials and looks ready to explode when she hits the track. Tommy Berry jumps in the saddle and if the track is playing evenly, I expect the ‘tangerine and blue’ to fly home best down the middle of the Randwick home straight.
ICEBATH
5yo Brown mare | SACRED FALLS (NZ) x FABULIST (NZ)
It is hard to believe the Widdup-trained mare hasn’t claimed a big race in her career, with her best win coming in a BM78, so there is no mare more deserving of The Invitation. The now five-year old mare has been a stalwart of the Sydney carnival for the past twelve months after running 2nd in the Golden Eagle, before a narrow 2nd in the Group One Doncaster mile in the Autumn. This preparation has been an unlucky one so far, getting back in unsuitable firm conditions two starts back in the Golden Pendant before finding trouble in the Group One Epsom Handicap last start. Unfortunately, another very dry track and wide barrier might make it three unlucky runs in a row.
STARTANTES
3yo Bay filly | STAR TURN x FUNTANTES
The ‘x-factor’ in this year’s Invitation lies with the lone three-year old Startantes. The Heathcote trained three-year old filly has been impressive in both her Sydney runs this preparation when contesting two Group One races, a strong run in the Golden Rose Stakes followed by an impressive 3rd in the Group One Flight Stakes when not quite seeing out the mile. She is small, strong, and very genuine, a potent combination when combined with a very light weight. I don’t want to be losing on her.
VANGELIC
4yo Bay mare | VANCOUVER x ANGEL BEE (NZ)
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will saddle up the Golden Pendant winner Vangelic against a very similar field to the one she beat at Rosehill Gardens. Forgive her failure in the Silver Eagle last start when copping a bad check on the turn before being eased out of the race. She maps to get back to her brilliant best here with an uninterrupted run in the lead and can figure if the track pattern suits, however I don’t think she will get as many favours this time with the big prizemoney on offer. Happy to risk her.
NUDGE
5yo Bay mare | FASTNET ROCK x JULINSKY PRINCESS (NZ)
It wouldn’t be a feature race in Sydney without Chris Waller having a runner and he will saddle up five-year old mare Nudge. The daughter of Fastnet Rock returned first-up in Melbourne where she attacked the line well over 1,200 metres, a distance short of her best. Last preparation she was a winner of the Pam O’Neill at Doomben over 1,600 metres, before a slashing effort in the Group 1 Tattersalls Tiara at Eagle Farm which would be very competitive here. A well-balanced type in the yard possessing a powerful finish, the step up to 1,400 metres looks the ideal set up for the mare who is still early in her preparation. Tasked with the wide barrier makes the mission difficult and the first furlong will make or break her chances.
click here for The Invitation Race Guide