Popular South Coast trainer Bede Murray is rarely without a handy two year-old and his I Am Invincible colt Rafha’s Choice made it two wins in as many starts when he led throughout to win at Rosehill on Saturday. A winner on debut at Kembla two weeks ago, Rafha’s Choice took another step forward when proving too good for a smart field of city juveniles in this 1100 metre dash to win by half a neck. “I didn’t expect him to lead but obviously we picked the right race to do it in,” Murray said. “The thing about two-year-olds is they are learning all the time and sometimes they pleasantly surprise you.” Foaled, raised and sold by Fairhill Farm, who were responsible for last week’s Group I WATC Railways Stakes winner Good Project, Rafha’s Choice was snapped up from their draft at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $60,000. “I thought he was pretty smart and he’s done the job,” said Murray, who will chase a big payday with the colt in the $500,000 Inglis Nursery at Randwick in a fortnight. He is the first foal of minor winning Choisir mare She’s Choice, a daughter of stakes-placed She’s First Class from the family of Group I New Zealand Derby winner Hail. She’s Choice has no yearling this year, but produced a full sister to Rafha’s Choice this spring. Rafha’s Choice is the third two year-old winner this season for I Am Invincible, who has big drafts at both Magic Millions and Inglis Classic. I Am Invincible made it a double at Rosehill when talented mare I Am Zelady overcame a wide gate to score a dominant win for the Joe Pride stable. An $80,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Yarraman Park draft, I Am Zelady has won over $120,000 in prizemoney with two wins and five placings from just eight starts.
