The Grahame Begg-trained Magic Time is favourite to improve on her third in last year’s race when she lines-up in the lucrative The Invitation 2024 race at Royal Randwick this weekend.
The elite spring racing action may be further south with the Group 1 $5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley, but Spring Champion Stakes Day in Sydney also has plenty of feature races for the punters including the now Group 2 $2 million The Invitation (1400m).
The exclusive mares’ only invitational event features a dozen of the season’s top female gallopers with the latest The Invitation odds online led by Magic Time at $3.30 and firming through Ladbrokes.com.au.
The now five-year-old daughter of Hellbent ran third to Espiona in last year’s The Invitation trifecta and presents a genuine winning hope at her next attempt on Saturday despite drawing out in gate 11.
Jockey Nash Rawiller comes aboard for her second-up run this prep with Magic Time last seen running fourth fresh in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington down the straight.
She was only a length beaten that day, improves from the run, and will relish the 1400m now having a lovely record at the distance (6:3-0-2).
The danger occupying the second line of The Invitation betting this season at $4.50 carrying the equal 59.5kg topweight is the Chris Waller-trained Zougotcha.
This three-time Group 1 winning daughter of Zoustar chases her first victory since completing the Coolmore Classic – Queen Of The Turf double during the autumn.
Her return this time in was an eye-catching second to stablemate Via Sistina in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) but she raced flat last time out when dead last (8th) to another Waller mare, Fangirl, in the $1 million 7 Stakes on September 21.
She drops back to 1400m now and has been given a month between runs hoping she can bounce back against this field from gate five with Joao Moreira in the saddle.
A further two mares are also under $10 to take out the fourth running of the race with another for Waller, Olentia, being kept safe at $5.50 and $8 currently on offer for one of the early market movers Makarena.
Olentia, a five-year-old daughter of Zoustar, will be ridden by Tommy Berry from gate seven second-up off her win in the Group 3 The Nivision at Rosehill.
Team Hawkes’ rails-drawn Makarena meanwhile gets the run of the race form the inside barrier with star apprentice Zac Lloyd engaged for the ride on the recent Group 2 Golden Pendant winning Snitzel four-year-old.
Kerrin McEvoy partners last start Group 1 Epsom fifth placegetter Arctic Glamour ($12) who looks well-rated here even from an outside alley, while Roll On High ($15) gets her spring underway for the Moody/Coleman camp having last been seen running a credible fifth to last weekend’s $20 million The Everest winning mare Bella Nipotina in Brisbane’s Tatt’s Tiara over the winter.
The 2024 The Invitation is set to run as Randwick Race 8 at 4:45pm (AEDT) on Saturday’s 10-race Sydney card.
The Invitation 2024 Odds & Results
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
3. Belclare (2)
J: Tyler Schiller 59.5kg
T: Bjorn Baker |
||
|
2nd
2. Magic Time (9)
J: Nash Rawiller 59.5kg
T: Grahame Begg |
||
|
3rd
7. Makarena (1)
J: Zac Lloyd 58.5kg
T: M, W & J Hawkes |
||
|
4th
5. Olentia (6)
J: Tommy Berry 58.5kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
|
5th
4. Royal Merchant (3)
J: Jason Collett 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
|
6th
9. Roll On High (7)
J: Luke Nolen 58kg
T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
||
|
7th
12. Arctic Glamour (12)
J: Kerrin McEvoy 57kg
T: G Ryan & S Alexiou |
||
|
8th
11. Queues Likely (8)
J: Rachel King 58kg
T: Bjorn Baker |
||
|
9th
10. Coco Jamboo (5)
J: Tom Sherry 58kg
T: Peter Snowden |
||
|
10th
1. Zougotcha (4)
J: Joao Moreira 59.5kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
|
11th
8. Terra Mater (10)
J: Josh Parr 58kg
T: J M Austin |
||
|
12th
6. Roots (11)
J: Tim Clark 58.5kg
T: Chris Waller |
Data retrieved: 27/10/2024 01:25 AM (Australia/Brisbane)
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Race comments
ZOUGOTCHA (1) classy mare expected to bounce back to winning form after being run down late by Via Sistina first up, and then disappointing when a wilting eighth behind Fangirl over 1600m in the 7+ Stakes at this track on September 21. Kept fresh and since fitted with a 1000m tick over trial. Tongue tie goes on and she gets the right race set up today. OLENTIA (5) underrated mare who sprouted wings late when a slick 1.2 len winner first-up over 1200m in the G3 The Nivison at Rosehill on October 12. Second up record is just as good and expected to play a leading role. ROYAL MERCHANT (4) tough mare who went forward with the 59kg and gave a great sight when a narrow third over 1200m in the G3 The Nivison at Rosehill. Maps well again and can give plenty of cheek at the good odds. MAGIC TIME (2) returned in good order with an eye-catching fourth over 1200m at Flemington in the G2 Gilgai on October 5. Saves her best for this track and trip and has the ability to overcome the sticky draw.