Progressive I Am Invincible colt Ohope won the $1million ATC Tapp Craig (1400m) at his previous start, however was not rewarded officially with Black Type for that result, but he did achieve stakes-winner status at Randwick on Saturday when scoring a determined win over quality colt Rivellino in the $1million ATC Callander Presnell (1600m).
The Michael Freedman trained colt was backed into favouritism when punters realised the strength of his form as he finished second to Napoleonic at Warwick Farm last month and that colt came out and won the Group III MVRC Red Anchor Stakes at Moonee Valley at the start of the day.
Ohope ran the mile out strongly for Jason Collet to score by half a length over Rivellino taking his overall record to three wins and three placings from eight starts with prizemoney topping $900,000.
“I think that 1400 to the mile is probably his go,” said Collett.
“He's a big boy, but a lovely horse. He's got a fair bit underneath you.
“I was pretty confident over the rise. I was in the right spot; I knew where Nash (Rivellino) was and obviously, yeah, Tommy (Ruination) and my horse was full of running over the rise.”
A homebred for Godolphin, Ohope is the second foal and first winner for Group III winning Medaglia D’Oro (USA) mare Pohutukawa, a grand-daughter of blue hen Chiara, the dam of Group winners Chinchilla Rose, Ferocity and Leone Chiara, the dam of Champion 3YO Colt and dual Group I winner Star Witness.
Pohutukawa has a yearling colt by Street Boss (USA), but missed last spring so will have no foal this year.
Ohope is the 122nd stakes-winner for Yarraman Park’s champion sire I Am Invincible and is his fifth in Australia this season.
