Kitri Keeps the Ball Rolling for Invader

Mark Smith - Saturday July 22

Aquis Farm's Invader has unearthed several promising two-year-olds towards the back end of the season, and Kitri kept the roll rolling when storming to victory over 1200m at Doomben on Saturday.

Ridden by Cejay Graham for Michael Nolan, Kitri had just one of the nine runners behind her on the turn.

Eased out to the centre of the track, the daughter of Invader unleashed a withering finish to defeat the Kiss and Makeup filly Bernice's Spirit by a short-neck with the Kobayashi filly Surreal Ascot a long-head back in third.

Kitri made a winning debut at Toowoomba in June before a solid third in the Bruce McLachlan Classic at the Gold Coast three weeks later. She had no luck when unplaced over 1200m at Eagle farm on July 15 when caught wide the trip.

Michael Nolan said the addition of blinkers helped the cause.

"She had no luck the other day when she was posted wide but was tough to the end," Nolan said.

'I thought this race was worth a throw of the dice. I threw the blinkers on, which you do sometimes when you are a bit desperate, but they did the trick today.

Advertisement

"She is a lovely well-developed filly. I've only had one Invader, and that's her.

"Her couple of runs since winning at Toowoomba have been good. We weren't brimming with confidence today, but I thought that if she got a crack at them, she would be in the finish."

Kitri is making a mockery of her $4,000 purchase at the 2021 Inglis December Online Sale

With $72,000 already in the bank, Kitri has proven to be a bargain basement purchase for owner Aaron Sothmann, who made the winning bid of $4,000 when Canning Downs offered the daughter of Invader at the 2021 Inglis December Online Sale.  

She is the first winner from two to race for the winning Wanted mare Tutu, a granddaughter of the Listed AJC James HB Carr Stakes winner Royal Mask (Royal Academy).

Tutu was retired after foaling Kitri.

Invader stands at Aquis Farm in 2023 for a fee of $11,000.

Advertisment

Race Result - Racecourse Village Hcp 1200m

Doomben Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:10.85
1
Kitri
- 2f Invader (AUS) x Tutu (AUS) (Wanted (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Nolan Rdr: Cejay Graham 55
2
0.2
Bernice's Spirit
- 2f Kiss And Make Up (AUS) x Moet Miss (AUS) (Uncle Mo (USA))
Tnr: B J Lockwood Rdr: S Cormack 55.5
3
0.4
Surreal Ascot
- 2f Kobayashi (AUS) x Dream Of Ascot (AUS) (Exceedingly Good (AUS))
Tnr: A & T Sweeney Rdr: Angela Jones 53.5
4
0.6
Star Act
- 2f Snitzel (AUS) x Look To The Stars (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Kyle Wilson-Taylor 57
5
1.2
Mighty
- 2f Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Great Dansaar (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: James Orman 58
6
1.7
Five Star Vixen
- 2f Headwater (AUS) x Wall Street Vixen (AUS) (Manhattan Rain (AUS))
Tnr: Jay Bellamy Rdr: Damien Thornton 56.5
7
1.9
Crimson Warning
- 2f Defcon (AUS) x I Like Red (AUS) (Red Dazzler (AUS))
Tnr: Nicholas Beck Rdr: M R Du Plessis 58
8
2.1
Rich Minx
- 2f Rich Enuff (AUS) x Capetown Hussey (AUS) (Husson (ARG))
Tnr: S O'Dea & M Hoysted Rdr: Boris Thornton 56
9
4.5
Thredbo
- 2f Wicked Intent (AUS) x Samui Beauty (AUS) (Street Hero (USA))
Tnr: S Jokic Rdr: Melea Castle 51
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Sunday December 21
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
J-Mac Headed to Bac to NZ for G1 Ride
No-one knows better than Lance O’Sullivan what it takes to win the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m), which is as good a recommendation as any around the engagement of James McDonald for Tomodachi in the Trentham Group One sprint.
Part 1 Snippets – In The Beginning
In the lead up to the 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sale we’re going back to the beginning of one of the great stories of bloodstock and how a bargain yearling changed the face of the Australasian racing and breeding industry forever.
Widden Produce the Magic Winners
The beauty of buying a Magic Millions yearling is their eligibility for a rich program of races scheduled around the country and no farm has a better record for producing the winners of these races than Widden Stud with Unit Five the latest name added to the list.
Part 2 Snippets – The Very First Magic Millions Champion
In the lead up to the 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sale we’re going back to the beginning of one of the great stories of bloodstock and how a bargain yearling changed the face of the Australasian racing and breeding industry forever.
Tara Talks Racing - The Christmas Episode
A quickie to end the year and wish our listeners a very happy Christmas as we pick apart the Magic Millions contenders that have jumped out of the woodwork in the past week, who do we like heading into the Christmas break?    
Cambridge Stud Looking Forwards to 2026 with Sword of State
Young Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State has landed another timely winning blow across the Tasman.
2025 Breednet Favourite Foal Winner
Firstly we’d like to thank everyone for taking an interest in our foal gallery and supporting their favourites, but there can only be one 2025 Favourite Foal and Vinery Stud’s first season sire Hawaii Five Oh has gained a jump on his rivals in producing his first winner!
Sires With Winners - Monday December 22
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2026 Magic Millions Order of Entry 2YO and 3YO Updated
Racing Queensland have today released order of entry updates for the rich $3million Magic Millions 2YO Classic and 3YO Guineas to be run at the Gold Coast on January 17 with last week’s three 2YO debutants coming into the top 10.