Invader pushes ahead for start in Inglis Sires’

Golden Slipper scratching Invader has overcome a minor hoof problem and is ready to take his place in the Group 1 $1m Inglis Sires’ (1400m) at Randwick on day one of ‘The Championships’ on Saturday.

Invader, above with red and yellow colours, will take on stablemate Gunnison, above in green colours, again in the Inglis Sires;' at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Invader, above with red and yellow colours, will take on stablemate Gunnison, above in green colours, again in the Inglis Sires;’ at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Co-trainers Peter and Paul Snowden were forced to scratch Invader from the Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on March 18 after he sustained a stone bruise in his off fore hoof but the Snitzel colt has completely recovered and is ready to continue on with his Autumn Campaign.

Peter Snowden said that Invader was quick to recover from the minor setback and was given a solid hit out in a 1000m jump out at Randwick last Friday and came through the test with flying colours.

“He was right by Monday (after the Golden Slipper), Tuesday he was fine. It happened on Friday, the worst possible day it could have happened, but I suppose better than Saturday,” Peter Snowden told racing.com.

“I think he is over it now and probably missing a hard gut buster might have been a blessing.”

“He had a trial here on Friday morning. We had jump outs on the steeple grass over a 1000m and he had a good blow out there.”

“He pulled up well. Just the sort of work he needed to get him where he needed to be. He has come through that gallop in good order. One hundred per cent sound and I am happy with him for Saturday.”

Hugh Bowman takes over the reins from Joao Moreira on Invader who has drawn barrier four in the capacity sixteen horse Inglis Sires’ field.

Invader is set to clash again with his stablemate Gunnison who beat him when only a nose separated the two youngsters when they quinelled the Group 2 $300,000 UNSW Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on March 4.

Snowden is giving Invader a great chance to reverse the placings as he considers the Snitzel colt to be better suited over the 1400m of the Inglis Sires’ although he admits that there is not much between them.

“He (Invader) has always shown that seven furlongs is going to be his right trip so he should present well on Saturday and run well,” Snowden said.

“There is not much between them, both are very genuine chances but probably just the way it maps for me, I think Invader probably gets a tick because it looks like to me that he has always wanted this sort of trip.”

Gunnison was only having his second race start when he beat Invader in the Todman Stakes and the Not A Single Doubt gelding has trained on well and impressed Snowden with an easy barrier trial win over 1000m at Wyong March 22.

“It’s probably a blessing as well (missing the Golden Slipper). He had a good trial at Wyong last Tuesday and trialled shape,” Snowden said.

“He too is going into the race in good order without a gut buster so fresh legs might be the order of the day.”

Blake Shinn again gets to partner Gunnison who drew poorly at barrier fourteen in the original draw but could move in two places at start time with two of the three emergencies drawn inside of him.

Early betting for the Inlgis Sires’ at Ladbrokes.com.au sees both two year olds at double figure odds with Gunnison the better fancied at $11 ahead of Invader at $15.

The Michael Freedman trained Frolic has been installed the $4.80 favourite following her second to She Will Reign in the Golden Slipper with third placed Tulip next in the market orser at $6.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.