A heavy 10 track at Doomben on Saturday did nothing to dampen the potential of exciting two year-old I Am Invincible filly Hi Barbie, who opened her account with a stylish victory in the $200,000 Listed BRC Phelan Ready Stakes (1110m).
Trained by Tony Gollan for the Acton family as was her top class dam Outback Barbie, Hi Barbie won a recent trial by seven lengths and was sent off as favourite despite taking on more experienced rivals in Cuddles for Kimmy and Secret Sort.
She had too much class for them and kicked away to win by a length booking her place in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January.
“This wasn't an option I loved, running a rookie filly on this heavy track," said a relieved Gollan.
"It was probably as nervous as I've been coming to the races for a first starter.
"Not because of how good she is, it's just that she means a lot to the Acton family and to our family.
"I didn't love that sort of heavy ground for her, I just hoped her class would shine through.
"She was just better than them today."
Hi Barbie was a $1.2million Magic Millions purchase from Yarraman Park for Gollan Racing/Jennifer Acton and has a full brother headed to Magic Millions 2025 as Lot 755 for Yarraman Park.
Bred by the late central Queensland cattle farmer Alan Acton, who died last year in a tragic helicopter crash, Hi Barbie was bought by Acton's widow Jennifer and is the first foal from multiple stakes-winner and $1.5million earner Outback Barbie, a full sister to another stakes-winner in the aptly named Barbie’s Sister.
Sadly for the Acton family, Outback Barbie lost a Snitzel filly foal early in the spring, however she is now back in foal to I Am Invincible.
Hi Barbie is the 112th stakes-winner for I Am Invincible and is the very first for Spirit of Boom as a broodmare sire.
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