Invictus stays undefeated in Breeders Stakes

Three-year-old gelding Invictus came storming down on the outside to deny the leading two-year-old of last year, Nostradassa, victory in the Michael Parravicino Memorial Breeders Stakes and Trophy Grade 2 at the Garrison on Saturday night.

Nostradassa, under informed rider Rey Williams, stormed out of the number four starting stall of the 1570-metre event like a jet, going six lengths clear in the early stages, as race fans were chatting among themselves that Rey was letting his mount go too quickly in the early stages.

With fractions of 25.4 and 50.0 on a firm track, Nostradassa was tracked by Invictus and Zorah.

Nostradassa brought the field into the Home stretch looking all over a winner before being collared by Invictus who went on to win by a Length and 3/4.

Nostradassa went on to finish second, Moulin Rouge third and Zoriah fourth in a time of 137.

Invictus now has two wins from two starts and copied his dam’s full brother Jericho winning the Hopeful stakes.

Winning Trainer Andew Nunes will be looking forward to the Classics this year and so too will winning owners John Patrick Drakes, Neville Isdell and Lou Rollins.

Winning jockey Rasheed Knights rode a gem of a race.

Winning breeder George Devere Davis, who bred past Hopeful stakes champions Coo Bird, Credit Note, Blues Dancer, Zouk, Jericho and now Invictus, is the most successful breeder of the Hopeful stakes. (KL)