I Am Invincible three-year-old King Of Sparta was too strong for the older horses with a determined win in the Bletchingly Stakes (Gr.3) at Caulfield on Saturday.
With rain coming prior to the race and the track downgraded, there was concern King Of Sparta’s inside gate would prove problematic but leading rider Jye McNeil navigated the perfect path to bring King Of Sparta with a strong run to out point Queensland visitor Scallopini (Snitzel) with Mariamia (Toronado) third.
A $700,000 yearling purchase for China Horse Club, Newgate Farm and Starlight Racing from Yarraman Park at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, the decision was taken to geld him after just four runs with over $1.4 million banked since.
It was his second stakes win after he won this year’s $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (RL), and his record also includes stakes placings in the Roman Consul Stakes and Gosford Guineas, and he’d set a new track record when winning over 1200m at Kembla Grange last August.
“The luck came at the right time,” said McNeil.
“There was a concern whether he’d handle today’s conditions but he let down fantastic.
“We seemed to go by (Scallopini) very easily and he fought back, so he had to tough it out which he did very well.”
King Of Sparta is the fourth foal, and best performer to date for stakes winning mare Octavia (Holy Roman Emperor (Ire))
She has a rising 2YO filly by Zoustar named Penny For, in the Kris Lees stable, a weanling colt by I Am Invincible and was served by I Am Invincible again last season.
A win in the second last stakes race of the season is a fitting result for I Am Invincible who has enjoyed another stunning season where he will finish as the Champion Sire by Earnings and by Winners, and is second only to Snitzel in stakes winners with 17.
