Fourth on debut back in August, Michael Freedman’s 3yo I Am Invincible filly Rajwa was required to fight late, but the half-sister to G1 winner Manaal (Tassort) had too much in hand, breaking her maiden at Canterbury on Friday night for breeder/owner Emirates Park.
In the small field of just six runners, jockey Andrew Adkins jumped the filly away well from the barriers where she went forward to settle on the outside of the Gary Portelli trained Xtravagant filly Premium.
When the home turn was reached, Premium still had plenty to offer as Rajwa started to make her run as Brad Widdup’s Avon Calling was coming off their heels to put herself in a challenging position.
As the leading duo pulled away to battle it out, it was clear Premium was in for the fight, but close to the line Rajwa got the better of the filly on her inside, going on to break her maiden by just under a quarter of a length.
With more than three lengths back to Avon Calling in third, the first two across the line look to be worth following moving forward.
Rajwa is the third foal, and just second filly out of the imported, Listed winning Midshipman mare Red Lodge (USA), a half-sister to the Listed winner Good Like Magic (USA).
The dam of three winners from three to the races, Red Lodge’s leading performer is Rajwa’s stablemate Manaal, a six time black type winner highlighted by her success in the G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at 2 where she defeated Traffic Warden, Coleman and Storm Boy.
The current yearling out of Red Lodge, a colt by Coolmore’s Justify (USA) was sold at the recent Magic Millions yearling sale where he was knocked down to Kennewell Racing, Group 1 Bloodstock and Ridgeport for $400,000 from the Emirates Park draft.
Red Lodge has since missed to Tassort therefore there was no foal in the spring, while she has since covered by Extreme Choice.
With his current yearlings selling up to $1.25m and averaging $593,281 at the recent Magic Millions yearling sale, Yarraman Park’s Champion Sire I Am Invincible is the sire of 122 stakes winners highlighted by 17 individual G1 winners and currently has more 3yo winners so far this season than any other sire.
