Scratched from a hot juvenile maiden at Randwick yesterday for a softer alternative at Kembla on Thursday this well bred I Am Invincible colt needed courage as well talent to get past the Godolphin entry and post a tenacious debut win.
Trained by Gai Waterhouse Adrian Adiran Bott, Fortingall had won his two most recent trials and was sent out favourite for the 1000m dash, but had to pull out all the stops for Rachel King to edge out another first starter the Exceed and Excel colt Alpine Ski.
Fortingall is a second generation homebred for Belinda Bateman that was foaled and raised at Newgate.
He is the first foal of Tilia Rose, a lightly raced Written Tycoon filly that only had four starts, but won the $127,000 Max Lees Classic over 900m as a spring juvenile.
Tilia Rose was also bred by Mrs Bateman and is the one and only foal from well-bred Redoute’s Choice mare Prevail, who was bought by James Harron Bloodstock for $500,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions Yearling Sale from Arrowfield and started just twice with a fourth on debut in the Listed ATC Gimcrack Stakes her career highlight.
The loss of Prevail in 2018 after producing only one foal would have been devastating as she came with a big pedigree given her dam Luna Bella is a full sister to Group III winning star producer Hips Don’t Lie, the dam of Group I placed Group II winner Learning to Fly with the family also producing Group I winning colt Ozzmosis, who stands his debut season at Newgate Farm this spring.
Tilia Rose is continuing her legacy and has been given every opportunity with a yearling filly to follow by Zoustar that was sold in the Magic Millions Newgate draft this year for $250,000 to Bennett Racing Pty Ltd/Blandford Bloodstock/Annabel Neasham and a weanling filly by Home Affairs.
Fortingall is the tenth two year-old winner this season for champion sire I Am Invincible, who posted a Group I winning 2YO colt in New Zealand this year in Move to Strike.
Yarraman Park’s champion sire stands at a fee of $275,000 this spring.
