A six lengths win by a four-year-old daughter of I Am Invincible making her career debut; a five and three-quarter lengths triumph for an Irish-bred son of Fastnet Rock on his introduction to Australia; and an emotional win for a five-year-old gelding having his first start in 123 weeks, just some of the highlights from an intriguing Thursday night meeting at Pakenham Park.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Marabi made a belated start to her career over 1200m.
There was no secret about her ability. She was short in the market and won like a good thing.
It was a sit and steer job for Ben Allen as the daughter of I Am Invincible put six lengths on the Helmet filly Ha She.
After three consecutive seconds, Dunvegan (Wandjina) had to settle for a one and three-quarter lengths third this time.
A homebred for Greg Perry’s Greenwich Stud, Marabi is a half-sister to the Group 1 VRC Oaks heroine Arista (Lonhro).
Marabi’s dam Nakaaya won five races including the Group II MVRC Sunline Stakes. The daughter of Tiger Hill (GER) is a great-granddaughter of TJ Smith’s wonder filly Princess Talaria (Dignitas).
While bookies were aware of the ability of Marabi, a few might have been stung by the sustained support for the Archie Alexander-trained Eagles Crag (IRE).
The four-year-old son of Fastnet Rock was beaten over 20 lengths was second last in a ten runner novice over a mile at Newmarket back in June last year.
With Jordan Childs in the saddle for his Australian debut over a mile, Eagles Crag (IRE) looked several classes above his rivals in the softest of wins.
Under a minimum of urging, the OTI colour-bearer defeated Mista Sizzle (Sizzling) by five and three-quarter lengths with Djounie (Magnus) a further two and a half lengths back in third.
A brother to the Group III winner La Saldana out of a half-sister to the champion Lomitas, Eagles Crag (IRE) was purchased by Jeremy Brummitt for €95,000 out of the Stiftung Gestut Fahrhof draft at the BBAG Yearling Sale.
Perhaps the highlight of the night came when the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Fighting Harada made his first appearance since finishing unplaced in the Group III Caulfield Guineas Prelude back in September 2018.
Dean Yendall admitted to chasing the ride on the son of Fighting Sun after impressing him in trackwork.
Yendall proved to be a good judge as Fighting Harada won untroubled by one and three-quarter lengths from the 3yo filly Elidi, also by the ill-fated Fighting Sun, with a neck back to the Shamexpress gelding Wild Express in third.
Fighting Harada looked a very promising two-year-old. After finishing fourth in the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes at Caulfield, he broke his maiden at Sale by two lengths.
Three weeks later he was even more impressive when downing the high-class Zoutori by one and three-quarter lengths at Sandown.
A homebred for Peter Creighton’s United Syndications, Fighting Harada is one of four winners from five to race out of the More Than Ready (USA) mare Ready Made Family.
A granddaughter of the SAJC Swettenham Stud Stakes winner Tree Of Renown, Ready Made Family is also the dam of the Oratorio (IRE) gelding Ready Set Sing. The 10yo has been a stalwart of the Mark De Montfort stable with a record of six wins and 31 placings while banking $257,735.
