I Am Invincible's Media Sensation Toughs it out in Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes

Breednet - Saturday November 21

Talented mare Media Sensation backed up an eye-catching performance at the Ellerslie trials earlier this month with a comprehensive front-running effort to take out the feature event for the fillies and mares at Pukekohe on Saturday, the Gr.2 Dunstan Feeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).

Media Sensation Photo: Trish Dunell

Successful at the elite level as a three-year-old when winning the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), the now five-year-old I Am Invincible mare hadn’t been seen at the racetrack since finishing second at Ellerslie back in early March.

Trainers Peter and Dawn Williams gave her plenty of time off after that run before bringing her back for her first trial in mid-October. Two more trial runs preceded Saturday’s raceday reappearance where she paraded in fine fettle for rider Opie Bosson.

Bosson bounced his charge away from a middle barrier to take up the running before setting a muddling pace throughout. Media Sensation gave a good kick in the run home as she held out Showoroses and Supreme Heights in a driving finish to record her seventh victory and go one better in the event, having finished runner-up to race rival Yearn in the 2019 edition of the contest.

Dawn Williams was thrilled with the performance and believes a stint of beach-work had made a major difference to her charge.

“We have been quite happy with her and had done a good bit of work with her on the beach,” she said.

“She had a really good break over the winter and we didn’t rush her back.

“The time she spent at the beach has really brought her on and she did look good heading to the start today.

“We are mindful of her feet though, as she can get a bit clunky running on the really hard tracks. 

Advertisement

Media Sensation was a $425,000 purchase out of the Lime Country draft at the NZB Premier Yearling Sale

“The track today suited her and it was a lovely ride by Opie.

“We targeted this race first up and now she has that under her belt we will have a look towards what is next for her.”

One of the missions that the Williams’ have in mind for their charge is the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s day.

“I think she is best at around 1200m-1400m so we have her nominated for the Railway at Auckland,” Williams said.

“Even though she got the mile when she won her Group One, she is better over the sprint distances.

“She just needs to get into a good rhythm, like she did today and she can be a hard horse to get past.

“She goes well fresh so I’m not sure whether we would have another run before Ellerslie but we will just see how she comes through this one.”

Raced by Barneswood Farm’s Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer, Media Sensation has now won seven times from 17 starts, with four at stakes level and has amassed over $385,000 in prizemoney.

Advertisment

Race Result - Thoroughbred Breeders' Gr2 1400m

Pukekohe Park Track: Dead(4) Time: 1:23.13
1
Media Sensation
- 5m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Different To (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: P & D Williams Rdr: O P Bosson 57
I Am Invincible
2
0.2
Showoroses
- 4m Showcasing (GB) x Rodrigo Rose (NZ) (Rodrigo De Triano (USA))
Tnr: Ms J Surgenor Rdr: V A Colgan 57
3
0.4
Supreme Heights
- 5m Jimmy Choux (NZ) x Summer Heights (NZ) (Stark South (USA))
Tnr: M H Brosnan Rdr: M J Mc Nab 57
4
1.9
Pierina
- 6m Savabeel (AUS) x Quizzical (NZ) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: D S Johnson 57
5
2.2
Jennifer Eccles
- 4m Rip Van Winkle (IRE) x Platinum Elle (NZ) (Elnadim (USA))
Tnr: S Ritchie & C Murray Rdr: J K Riddell 57
6
2.7
Supera
- 6m Savabeel (AUS) x Sopra Tutto (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy (USA))
Tnr: K & B Kelso Rdr: C J Grylls 57
7
2.8
Familia
- 4m Makfi (GB) x Enjay (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: L R Noble Rdr: L G Innes 57
7
3.0
Je Suis Tiger
- 6m Tiger Prawn (SAF) x Je Suis (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: G T Hennessy Rdr: J J Fawcett 57
8
3.5
Le Castile
- 6m Dalghar (FR) x Awatea (NZ) (Never Til Dawn (USA))
Tnr: N W Tiley Rdr: S T Collett 57
9
4.7
Yearn
- 7m Savabeel (AUS) x Princess Uno (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: Ms K Fursdon Rdr: S R Weatherley 57
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.
Lookalike Star Turn Colt Franks Hot Form Race
When Angel Ladder won the first race at Geelong coming out of the VRC Next Gen Series Sprinters Final won by Jimmy Recard, you would think punters would have looked closely at Redders in the following event coming out of the same race, but he slipped under their guard.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.