Vinnie Goes Two For Two In Japan

Mark Smith - Sunday December 27

Yarraman Park Stud’s champion I Am Invincible had his second winner in two days in Japan when Top Star Sun steamrolled over a field of seventeen debutants in a 1400m Newcomers race at Hanshin on Sunday.

After tracking the early speed, Hayato Yoshida eased the Manabu Ikezoe-trained colt out to mount a challenge at the 200m. With a minimum effort the imposing dark bay colt drew away in the closing stages to defeat the Deep Brillante colt Brilliant King by a widening one and three-quarter lengths with the World Ace filly Forever Kayo a further one and a half lengths back in third.

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The win follows the exciting debut of the I Am Invincible filly Jazz Etude over 1600m at Nakayama on Saturday.

Like Jazz Etude, Top Star Gun came out of the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and both were purchased by Katsumi Yoshida at a cost of $650,000 each.

Consigned by Yarraman Park Stud, Top Star Gun is a full-brother to the Group III Blue Diamond Prelude winner I Am Immortal who has just completed covering his first book of mares at Swettenham Stud.

Top Star Gun a $650,000 Magic Millions Yearling

Top Star Gun is also a three-quarter brother to the flying Whypeo a Listed stakes-winner of over $435,510.

The dam of Top Star Gun and I Am Immortal is the former top class racemare Meliora.

 A daughter of Ad Valorem (USA), Meliora numbered the Group II MRC Angus Armanasco Stakes among her four wins.

Purchased by BBA Ireland for $240,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, Meliora does not have a yearling this season but foaled an I Am Invincible colt on August 31.

The double with his first two runners in Japan topped a good weekend for I Am Invincible overseas on the weekend following the win by Vamos Bebe in the Listed Hallmark Stud Hcp (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

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