Lightly raced mare Invincible Star has been selected by GPI Racing to race in their slot in the 2018 version of the $13m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 13.
Invincible Star, above, has been selected to run in The Everest in GPI Racing ‘s slot. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Invincible Star has only been to the races on five occasions for two wins at Group 3 level in the $150,000 Ottawa Stakes (1000m) at Flemington during the 2016 Melbourne Cup Carnival and in the $150,000 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield during the 2017 Spring Carnival.
The then three year old filly set the pace before being beaten by a head when second to Merchant Navy in the 2017 Group 1 $1m Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) for the three year olds down the Flemington straight.
Invincible Star has had two barrier trials in preparation for the 2018 Spring Carnival and caught the eye of the GPI Racing Group with a sizzling nine and three quarter lengths win in a 850m Randwick trial on August 13.
The I Am Invincible mare will join her stablemate English in The Everest after the Doomben 10,000 winner was snapped up by Damion Flower to race in his slot giving Waterhouse and Bott two runners in the rich sprint.
“Really excited to partner with GPI Racing & @AWilliamsBldstk in #TheEverest for one of the most exciting sprinters of the Spring, INVINCIBLE STAR,” Waterhouse tweeted.
Andrew Williams from Andrew Williams Bloodstock said that he was excited to be able to broker the deal between GPI Racing and the connections of Invincible Star when he tweeted confirming that the mare would fill slot number ten for the 2018 The Everest.
“Pleased to announce @GaiWaterhouse1 INVINCIBLE STAR is confirmed for The Everest 2018. Excited to broker the deal on behalf of GPI Racing and secure this extremely fast mare for our ‘18 slot,” Williams tweeted.
Two slots for The Everest remain vacant with Max Whitby and the Australian Turf Club still on the lookout for a suitable candidate.
Confirmed runners for the 2018 The Everest: Trapeze Artist (Aquis, slot holder), In Her Time (TAB), Redzel (Yulong Investments), Brave Smash (Chris Waller Racing), Shoals (The Star), English (Damion Flower), Santa Ana Lane (Inglis), U S Navy Flag (Coolmore), Vega Magic (James Harron) and Invincible Star (GPI Racing) with two remaining slots yet to be filled.
Invincible Star has been slotted into the betting for The Everest at $12 with Ladbrokes.com.au who have the Gerald Ryan trained Trapeze Artist as the $4.80 favourite just ahead of last year’s winner Redzel at $5.50 and Nature Strip and Vega Magic at $7.
Early betting for the 2018 The Everest at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.80 Trapeze Artist, $5.50 Redzel, $7 Nature Strip, Vega Magic, $12 Invincible Star, In Her Time, Kementari, $14 Pierata, U S Navy Flag, Shoals, Santa Ana Lane, $21 Brave Smash, $26 English, Winx, $31 Happy Clapper, Chautauqua, $41 Le Romain, Showtime, $61 or better the rest.
