A pair of impressive debut juvenile winners on Wednesday has seen their sire I Am Invincible move to second on the Leading Two Year Old Sires List by winners with 13 behind only Snitzel on 14.
First to salute was the Toby Edmonds trained gelding Always Sacred who was sent out favourite for the 1100 metre open juvenile event at Ipswich and returned the winner scoring by the best part of a length.
A $100,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Yarraman Park draft for Segenhoe Thoroughbreds, Always Sacred was also bred by Yarraman and is a full brother to stakes-winner Bassillique.
He is the fifth winner from Sacred Hill, a half-sister to stakes-winner Pottinger and to Stuart Ramsey’s star producer Suggestive, the dam of Group I winner Sky Cuddle, Group winners Highly Recommended and Sky Love as well as stakes-winners Hint and Undeniably.
Sadly, Always Sacred is the last foal from Sacred Hill, who died in 2012.
Also winning on debut for the Chris Waller stable at Warwick Farm was the Yarraman Park homebred Miss Antaeus, who travelled strongly for Blake Shinn just off the pace before forging clear to win by three-quarters of a length.
“She’s been in and out a few times now, but has always shown plenty of ability and can go a long way, albeit in small steps along the way,” said Chris Waller.
“I think she will be a very good speed filly. She’s the first runner and winner I’ve trained for Yarraman Park and it’s a privilege to train for them.
“I’ll talk to them about where we go next. Scone (a Listed race on Saturday week) is a possibility although it’s a 10 day turnaround, so we’ll have to see how she pulls up.”
Miss Antaeus is the last foal and sixth winner for stakes-placed Crestfallen, a half-sister to the dam of Waller’s dual Group I winner Zoustar.
Waller also prepares her sire’s best offspring in Brazen Beau, so he should have a good insight into what makes Miss Antaeus tick and how far she might go.
“She actually reminds me a bit of Brazen Beau. She has the same sort of action,” Waller said.
Yarraman Park increased the service fee on I Am Invincible to $55,000 this year and he is now fully booked.