I Am Invincible has made a real name for himself with a string of outstanding older Group I winning sprinting mares and while his four year-old daughter Estriella will be looking to add her name to that list a couple of other progressive young mares by the champion sire won races impressively on Wednesday at Sandown and Warwick Farm.
Anthony and Sam Freedman have been patient with blueblood mare Isthmus, who returned from a spell to bolt in at Sandown over 1000m winning by more than two lengths and clocking 55.27 seconds.
Retained to race by her breeders Arrowfield Stud and Jonathan Munz, Isthmus scored back to back wins at Weribee and Moonee Valley earlier in the year before coming up short in two attempts in stakes company.
She was a creditable fifth in the Group III MVRC William Crockett Stakes and then failed in the mud when brought to Sydney for the Group III ATC PJ Bell, but a good spell and a fresh beginning looks to have her primed for a good campaign with her overall record standing at three wins and two placings from eight starts.
The chase of Black Type for Isthmus will be top priority as she is the first foal of triple Group I winner Shoals, a full sister to stakes-winner Groundswell that claims blue hen Shantha’s Choice as her grand-dam, so it’s the family of Group I winners Redoute’s Choice, Platinum Scissors and Manhattan Rain with recent Group II ATC Missile Stakes winner Schwarz another current member of this glamour dynasty.
Shoals has an unnamed two year-old filly by I Am Invincible and is in foal to him again after producing a filly by Maurice (Jpn) last spring.
The Bjorn Baker stable will have high hopes for the Group I MVRC Moir Stakes on Saturday with their four year-old I Am Invincible stallion Caballus but were in the winner’s circle at Warwick Farm with one of his daughters in Bonita Queen.
She’s always had speed to burn, but Bonita Queen is a stronger and more seasoned competitor this season and was a hot favourite in the Benchmark 72 event over 1100m.
She gave nothing else a chance and cruised to the line for Adam Hyeronimus to win by more than two lengths eased down taking her overall record to three wins and five placings from nine starts.
Bonita Queen was a $550,000 Magic Millions purchase for Bjorn Baker Racing/Clarke Bloodstock Pty Ltd (FBAA)/Cunningham Thoroughbreds from the draft of Fernrigg Farm, who pinhooked her successfully from the Segenhoe draft at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $340,000.
Bonita Queen is the first foal of multiple Group I winner Quilista, who won over $750,000 in prizemoney.
