Akhtar Gives New Owner a Quick Return

Mark Smith - Wednesday September 29

With four of the eight starters in the Justify @ Coolmore Australia Maiden (1400m) at Randwick-Kensington, including the short-priced favourite California Surreal, it was no surprise when I Am Invincible put another winner on the board. Still, it was not the result punters were expecting.

With two unplaced runs at Goulburn and Newcastle, the Annabel Neasham-trained Akhtar was sent off the longest priced runner in the field.

With Jason Collett in the saddle, Akhtar gradually wore down the front runner Dufresne (Hinchinbrook) to break his maiden by a half-head with California Surreal a further four lengths back in third.

“I am not going to lie; it was a little bit of a surprise how much improvement he had taken,” Neasham said.

“I think we may have been riding him wrong. I said to Jason to try and get a bit of cover if you can.

“It was a beautiful ride. He was very patient, and when he was still sitting on him halfway up the straight, I thought we might be in with a chance, and he was very good late. Hopefully, he will take a bit of improvement off that.

‘The way he works at home suggests he will get over a bit of ground. He’s fit and well and uncomplicated.

“It’s great for his new connections and we will find him a race over a bit further now.”

Advertisement

Akhtar provided new owner Vichit Pongsri-Iam with a quick return after purchasing him for $55,000 Inglis August (Late) Online Sale.

The son of I Am Invincible was bought by his trainer for $260,000 from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2020 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.

He is the third winner from five to race out of the top-class Royal Academy (USA) mare Serious Speed.

Serious Speed (image Mark Smith)

Trained by Leon Macdonald, Serious Speed won the Group 1 MRC Thousand Guineas, Group II STC Hobartville Stakes and Group III SAJC RA Lee Stakes. She placed twice at the elite level in the VRC Oaks and Robert Sangster Stakes.

Serious Speed is a sister to the dam of dual Group II winner Majestic Music and a half to the dam of stakes winners Reldas and Victory Chant.  

Purchased by Baramul Stud for $720,000 at the 2014 Patinack dispersal, Serious Speed has a 2yo Snitzel filly that failed to make her $150,000 reserve at the 2021 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.

After foaling a filly by The Autumn Sun last spring, Serious Speed was covered by Zoustar.

Advertisment

Race Result - Justify @ Coolmore Aust. Mdn 1400m

Randwick-Kensington Track: Good(3) Time: 1:21.66
1
Akhtar
- 3c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Serious Speed (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: J R Collett 57
2
0.1
Dufresne
- 3g Hinchinbrook (AUS) x Steflara (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: A J Cummings Rdr: K Mc Evoy 57
3
4.1
California Surreal
- 3f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Serene Majesty (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55.5
4
4.2
Wolves
- 3f Wolf Cry (AUS) x Grand Manners (AUS) (Grand Lodge (USA))
Tnr: Anthony Mountney Rdr: Brock Ryan 53
5
4.3
Vyner
- 3c Snitzel (AUS) x Valdemoro (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: Tim Clark 57
6
5.8
Huriwai
- 3c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Tai Tai Tess (AUS) (Magic Albert (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Bowman 57
7
7.3
Montenegro
- 3c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Twilight Royale (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: N Rawiller 57
More Reading...
Carlyon Stakes To Baraqiel – Second SW For Snitzel
Successful in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) last time in, Sniztel’s 7yo son Baraqiel continued his outstanding record at the Moonee Valley circuit, resuming to win the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) first up, highlighting potential Group 1 spring aims.
Winning Return for the Best in Australia - Via Sistina
Set to be crowned Australia’s Horse of the Year for last season, the mighty Fastnet Rock mare Via Sistina (IRE) returned on a rain soaked track at Randwick on Saturday to win the $1million Group I ATC Winx Stakes (1400m).
New Star for Hellbent – Savvy Hallie Wins G2 Silver Shadow
Yarraman Park’s Hellbent has made his name with brilliant Group I winning mares Magic Time and Benedetta with exciting filly Savvy Hallie adding her name his list of stakes-winners with a stylish victory in the Group II ATC Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
$400,000 Karaka Ready to Run Purchase May Be Next Star for Castelvecchio
The maiden three-year-old race on Foxbridge Plate Day at Te Rapa is developing a reputation for unveiling bright talent, and a superb debut by Quantum Legend on Saturday suggested he could be heading for the top of that list.
Wuddzz Caps Fine 24 Hours For Dwyer
Handy stayer Wuddzz came with a well-timed run under Tim Clark to land the Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy (2400m) at Randwick.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Autumn Glow
Resuming off the back of two solid barrier trials efforts, Chris Waller’s Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) stepped up to open company for the first time, with the $1.8m yearling purchase extending her unbeaten run to five with victory in the Group 3 ATC Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick.
First Black Type Victory For Nellie Leylax (IRE)
Not a bad way to break through for your first Australian victory as the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Nellie Leylax (IRE) cleared out by more than two lengths to claim the Group 3 ATC Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick.
Third Black Type Win For Snitzel’s Lazzura
A member of the Waller team to hold a dual acceptance leading into Saturday’s Randwick meeting, it was the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) where 4yo Snitzel mare Lazzura came out on top, recording her third black type victory.
Jenni Lets Loose At The Valley
Smart staying mare Jennivamoose recorded her third victory at The Valley when winning the Simpson Construction Handicap (2500m) in similar fashion to her previous victory at the venue.
Sterling Express Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Sterling Express stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs.