Despite his name, All American’s first winner is now anything but Invisible, after a smart debut victory over 1200 metres at Canterbury this afternoon.
The 2YO colt began well from barrier eight, sat outside the leader Jetwings until they rounded the turn, then quickened up nicely to take the lead and win comfortably by three-quarters of a length from Jetwings. The favourite Nordic Empire was another length away in third place.
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes confirmed after the race that Invisible will now head to Queensland for the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (R) LR on 11 January.
Hawkes said, “He’s booked his ticket now. Magic Millions has always been the aim for him but obviously it’s hard with an unraced two-year-old when you’re up against stables that have big opinions of theirs but in saying that we knew what we had.
“He’s very relaxed, very cool, just a dude. He’s just a really nice horse.”
Jockey James McDonald added, “He is very professional. They have done a wonderful job with him. They have always said he was a smart two-year-old even before he trialled.
“He learnt a lot in his trial, got in behind them, today he just bounced and was very professional with a great turn of foot, so he has a bright future.
“He gives me the feel of a very good horse, maybe a better three-year-old but he will go a long way as a two-year-old.”
Invisible was a $280,000 Hawkes Racing purchase from the Bellerive Stud draft at the 2013 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale and is raced by Tony Pistikakis, Michael Lam and Mr K.M.L. Ng. The Pistikakis/Lam partnership has previously enjoyed Group 1 success with Headturner (Australian Derby) and Railings (Caulfield Cup & Metropolitan Handicap).
Bred by Arrowfield in partnership with Jonathan Munz, John Leaver & Alan Jones, Invisible is the first foal of the city-winning Hussonet mare Illusionary, a half-sister to Group winners Chase The Rainbow and Ms Funovits. His second dam Illusional (by Redoute’s Choice) is a daughter of champion New Zealand 2YO filly Lodore Magic.
Illusionary has a yearling filly by All American, a filly foal by Gio Ponti and is once again in foal to All American.
Invisible has firmed significantly on a dramatically altered TAB Fixed Odds market for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic. He is now second favourite at $5.50, ahead of Nordic Empire & unlikely starter Chivalry (both $8.00), with the new favourite Unencumbered quoted at $4.00.
