Super exciting sprint queen Marabi kept her unbeaten record perfect going six for six when scoring a commanding victory in the Group II MVRC Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Stepping out on a soft track for the first time, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained daughter of I Am Invincible made it look all too easy, coasting along in the lead for Ben Allen and then powering clear to win by nearly three lengths.
“There were concerns about how the track was and she proved today she is classes above,” said Ben Allen, who has ridden Marabi in five of her six wins.
“She went at a nice gallop and that is her best asset. She can go at that high speed and breaks their hearts because she can keep it up while the others struggle.
“She keeps surprising us every time she steps out. She’s a good mare.
“She just keeps stepping up to the plate, and hopefully the Oakleigh Plate is next for her.”
David Eustace was delighted with five year-old Marabi, who has won in excess of $459,000 in the past 12 months having only made her debut in February last year.
“Credit to her and credit to the team. She’s been up a little while and, yes, she’s had her runs spaced, but the team at Cranbourne have done a great job with her and I think she’s proved today at weight-for-age that she’s very smart,” said Eustace.
“You don’t think that you’re going to win races of this calibre by that far. She’s beaten a decent field albeit a lot of horses kicking off their campaigns and she couldn’t have been any more impressive.
“Credit to Benny, he knows her extremely well. He’s got a lot of confidence in her and he rode her accordingly.”
A homebred for Greg Perry, Marabi is a half-sister to Group I VRC Oaks winner Aristia from Group II winning Tiger Hill (IRE) mare Nakaaya, who died in 2020.
Marabi looms as another potential Group I winner for I Am Invincible to follow in the footsteps of his past sprint queens Loving Gaby and Viddora.
Images: Moonee Valley Facebook
