Yarraman Park’s champion sire I Am Invincible posted his 15th Group I winner in New Zealand on Saturday when the Te Akau owned colt Move to Strike won the Group I Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) to become the very first G1 juvenile winner for his sire.
Unbeaten in three trials before winning on debut at Te Rapa back in December last year, Move to Strike followed with a narrow defeat by stablemate Bellatrix Star on New Year’s Day and then a disappointing run for fifth in the Group III Matamata Slipper (1200m) when he suffered a mild heart arrythmia.
Given a break by trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, Move To Strike stripped a fit horse for the last Group I event of the current local racing season on Saturday and lived up to his potential with a comprehensive performance.
Rider Wiremu (Billy) Pinn had him back a clear last in the early stages as Red Sea set up a solid pace in front, before Pinn began to circle the field on the home turn.
Stablemate Captured By Love hit the front at the 250m but Move To Strike was just cantering at this point as he quickly extended to full stride and raced past his rivals to win by a neat length from Red Sea (Pierata), who fought back bravely to fight off Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) for the runner-up position.
Sam Bergerson was beaming as he greeted the horse after the race.
“We’ve always thought the world of him as he has always been a very lovely horse,” Bergerson said.
“He paraded lovely today, and Bill (Pinn) was very patient on him as we thought we would have to be neutral in midfield early on with his wider barrier draw.
“He was very good late and although he did have that blip with his heart at Matamata, we were really happy with him since as he is a top-quality colt.
“We had run an ECG test and given him a slow build up before trialling him after that issue. Opie (Bosson) rode him and gave him the tick of approval and his trackwork on Tuesday was top notch.
“We were going in quietly confident although respectful of the other runners, but he is a very good colt and he showed that today.”
Pinn was also rapt with the winning performance.
“He travelled really well, but he doesn’t breathe that well, so I just wanted to keep him relaxed,” he said.
“He has a great turn of foot and is a superstar I think, and next time in I think he can win Group One after Group One as he has such a good attitude and an electric turn of foot.
“I would like to thank Te Akau Racing for the opportunities they are giving me and after missing most of the major racing through being suspended I’m just relieved to get it done today.”
Move to Strike was bought by David Ellis at Magic Millions for $525,000 from the Baramul Stud draft and runs for the Te Akau 2023 Stallion Breeding Syndicate. He has the overall record of two wins and a second from four starts with prizemoney in excess of $330,000.
Bred on the exact same cross as Te Akau’s champion mare Imperatriz, who is also by I Am Invincible from a daughter of Shamardal (USA), Move to Strike was bred by Gerry Harvey and is a half-brother to Group II placed Discharged and is the sixth winner from seven foals to race from Group II winner No Evidence Needed.
The I Am Invincible x Shamardal nick is running at 100% stakes success with three stakes-winners from three runners – Imperatriz and Move to Strike joined by Northern Hemisphere bred filly Lady Hamana.
No Evidence Needed has a yearling colt by Zoustar and was covered last spring by Dundeel after missing to Ole Kirk.
I Am Invincible is on his way to a third consecutive Champion Australian Sire title and has 44 entries for Inglis Easter.
