NOW that Invade And Conquer has at last shed his maiden status, his stable is keen to make hay while the sun shines!
And for a very good reason.
Invade And Conquer ($1.95 favorite), at his 12th start and after eight minor placings, broke through in the 4YO & Up Maiden Handicap (1400m) at his home track on Saturday.
He doggedly held out a determined challenge from runner-up Llewellyn ($2.40), and the pair had the finish to themselves, with third placegetter, fellow Kembla Grange trainer Brett Lazzarini’s Stonegate Lane ($21), more than four lengths back.
With that overdue victory done and dusted, leading local trainers Rob and Luke Price are looking ahead with optimism, and thus are keen to win back-to-back races with the four-year-old gelding.
“We feel he is the type of horse who could develop into a Provincial-Midway Championships contender next autumn,” Luke Price said on Sunday morning.
“But we need to win another race with him in the coming weeks.
“If he can do that, we could then give him a break and look to aim toward that series.”
A $100,000 Inglis Classic yearling sale purchase in 2022 for Strong Bloodstock, Invade And Conquer has been with Team Price for all his dozen starts.
“He was unlucky not to have won on debut when a close third in a Goulburn Maiden (1000m) in June last year, and also ran into a couple of smart horses since,” Luke Price said.
“We put blinkers on him at his previous run when a career best photo-finish second to the odds-on favorite Embassy (three times Listed placed) in a 1200m Maiden Plate at home on August 31.
“Invade And Conquer stepped up to 1400m for only the second time and did a good job to break through on Saturday.
“He rolled along at a good tempo in front and the second favorite (Llewellyn, $2.40) had his chance to beat him.”
Invade And Conquer was Team Price’s fourth winner early in the new season following on from 45 the previous season.
The father and son’s Queensland Oaks runner-up Our Gold Hope is back in the stable, but won’t race this spring.
“She is having only a light preparation, and will go out again with our focus on getting her ready for the autumn,” Luke Price said.
The now four-year-old daughter of Lope De Vega has raced 10 times for two wins and five placings (three at stakes level; Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic at home and Frank Packer Plate at Royal Randwick, and Group 1 Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm).
Nathan Doyle continued his successful start to the season at Kembla with Harlem Queen winning the 1400m Class 1 ridden by Sam Clipperton.
The victory Doyle's eighth for the season, putting him second behind Brad Widdup in the Provincial trainer's premiership.
. Newcastle trainer Mark Minervini has scrapped plans to run Raging Bull in his hometown $300,000 Gold Cup (2300m) on Friday.
Raging Bull, placed in the Wyong Cup Prelude (2000m) last month, was vetted after dropping out to finish last in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
“I feel the track was too firm for him, and it may also be that he doesn’t run 2400m,” Minervini said. “Raging Bull has pulled up okay, and I’ll give him a freshen up.”
Story John Curtis, September 15, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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