RNSW_Oct 21_Col_W

www.racingnsw.com.au SPRING CARNIVAL 2 $ 2M THE INVITATION V angelic’s recent all-the- way win in the Golden Pendant at Rosehill Gardens could well have earned her a berth in the inaugural $2m The Invitation (1400m) at Royal Randwick on 23rd October. The mare didn’t enjoy the best of luck last campaign but was never headed in the Group 2 1400m event at just her second run from a spell. Co-trainer Adrian Bott said: “We would love an invitation to the race. That was the plan to come here today. We thought this would be the nice race second- up where she could improve and try to win, and we thought today was crucial in getting that invitation. “Even though her record has been consistent we needed a win like that today to state our case and hopefully she has done that for us. “The connections have been so patient with her. She was a consistent filly without winning and she was thoroughly deserving of that, so glad to see it.” Winning jockey Tim Clark said: “She got a really good set-up today – dry track, was able to control and get things her own way, and she always improves with a run under her belt as well, so she was always going to come here and be hard to beat. “She is not a big, strong mare but she has plenty of fight and showed plenty of heart there when she was challenged at the furlong. “I was really proud of her. There are some nice races coming up for her, and I’m sure Gai and Adrian will be looking forward to getting her to them.” Despite her game third in the race, NZ trainer Jamie Richards remains keen for classy mare Entriviere to gain a place in The Invitation: “Our preference is to stay against her own sex [in The Invitation],” Richards said. The star Kiwi made her spring return with a barnstorming first-up win in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Kembla Grange. “We certainly think she has enough quality to be a Group 1 horse,” he said. “She has a very good turn of foot when she is able to relax in a race.” CO-TRAINERS GAI WATERHOUSE AND ADRIAN BOTT HAVE A LIVE CONTENDER FOR THE INAUGURAL $2M THE INVITATION FOLLOWING VANGELIC’S ROSEHILL STAKES WIN COMPILED: MARK BRASSEL PICTURES: BRADLEY PHOTOGRAPHERS Sydney’s spring racing HITS FEVER PITCH Vangelic (Tim Clark) holds off the challenge of Nimalee (Rachel King) in the Golden Pendant