The highest priced filly at the 2022 Magic Millions Yearling Sale when selling for $1.55million, I Am Invincible filly Charm Stone has been a star from day one and is now a two time Group I winner after landing her second victory at the top level with a dominant win in the $2million MVRC Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
A Group III winner at two and three, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr trained mare blossomed again last season winning the $1million Group I SAJC Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) and appears to have come back even better at five.
First up from a spell in the WFA feature, Charm Stone galloped well at The Valley earlier this week and despite her great fresh record and the services of Blake Shinn, she somehow got under the guard of punters.
Sent off at 30-1, Charm Stone enjoyed a sweet run in transit from a good gate and when last start Group I Moir Stakes winner Baraquiel kicked away turning for home she was quickly in hot pursuit.
The daughter of I Am Invincible was brilliant to the line opening up to win by two lengths over Baraquiel with Hellbent mare Magic Time a gallant third just ahead of race favourite Lady Shenandoah in fourth.
“It just worked out perfectly for her tonight, there was a bit of speed in front of her and Blake got off the fence at the right time,” said Mick Price.
“She’s a beautiful mare and I’m just really happy to see her win another Group I, her owners have put a lot of beautiful fillies in our barn and they are going to have some ripper broodmares going forward.”
Blake Shinn was celebrating his birthday as well as G1 success.
“It’s a pretty special day to be able to celebrate a Group One and a time-honoured race the Manikato,” he said.
“Just seeing Gary Willetts there brings back a lot of memories. So, it's great to be able to win it.
"She was dominant. She pinged the lids, got a great trail, and got out at the turn. She put the race to bed, it was a phenomenal win."
Bred and consigned by Emirates Park to Magic Millions, Charm Stone was the top-priced filly and third top overall when Sheamus Mills Bloodstock had the final say at $1.55 million.
Charm Stone has had five wins and three placings from 13 starts earning over $2.5million and is a sister to stakes-winner Najmaty from hugely talented Northern Meteor mare Najoom who won five races highlighted by a pair of Group III victories from just seven starts. She comes from the family of Group I winners Criterion, Comin’ Through and numerous stakes-winners.
A 10% share in Charm Stone changed hands on Inglis Digital this week with Yulong paying $310,000 to join her ownership group.
Najoom has a two year-old filly by I Am Invincible that was sold by Emirates Park at Magic Millions this year for $425,000 Peter Snowden/Trilogy Racing/Suman Hedge Bloodstock.
She missed to Justify (USA) in 2023 and has foaled this spring producing a colt by Tassort.
Charm Stone is the first G1 winner of the new season for Yarraman Park’s champion sire I Am Invincible, who is covering a full book at a fee of $220,000.
