Lady Invictus has already secured a couple of metropolitan victories, and the well-bred filly is set to enhance her reputation further this Saturday at Randwick.
The speedy filly, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, will compete for a maiden Saturday success in the $160,000 Happy Retirement Lynne McLean BM72 3YO Handicap over 1300 metres.
The daughter of I Am Invincible, a $675,000 Inglis Premier yearling purchase, finished third in her sole previous attempt at Saturday grade two starts back. This run was positioned between two midweek city wins, and Bott is keen for her to conclude her three-year-old campaign with a Saturday triumph.
“She’s done well this prep and she deserves that,” Bott stated.
“It would be a good indication of her ability going forward.
“That Saturday placing was full of merit, so that gives us confidence stepping into this grade on Saturday that she can be competitive like she has been before.
“It was a nice win last start from her. She seems to be in good shape, and there’s more upside from her going forward.”
Lady Invictus’s third placing occurred over 1100 metres at Rosehill on June 27, finishing three-quarters of a length behind Lighthouse Lass. Prior to that, she broke her maiden by the same margin over the same distance at Warwick Farm. In her most recent outing, she defeated Gatwick by a neck in a 1200m BM64 for three-year-olds at Canterbury.
While Adam Hyeronimus rode her to that win, Tim Clark will be in the saddle from barrier nine this Saturday.
Lady Invictus, currently the $3.60 favourite, is one of three runners for the Bott and Waterhouse stable at Randwick. They also have Silver Slipper Stakes runner-up Eviction Notice competing in the 1100m two-year-old event that opens the day, seeking their own maiden win.
Later in the program, the Toronado gelding Sly Boots will aim for his first win this campaign in the 1800m BM78 for male horses.
Sly Boots finished 5-1/2 lengths behind Tazima last start, but that was in BM88 grade on a Heavy 9 track. Bott is optimistic about his prospects on a firmer surface.
“The key will be the conditions, if he can get that better track it will be much more to his liking,” he commented.
“His first couple of runs, he didn’t have much luck with barriers and in running. Last start he got all the favours but couldn’t quite quicken on that ground, but he stuck on well and hopefully everything falls into place on Saturday because he is deserving of it.”
Randwick was rated a Soft 6 early Friday afternoon, with fine weather anticipated for both Friday and Saturday.
Rachel King is booked to ride the $7.50 chance Sly Boots, who also drew barrier nine.
Punters looking for the best racing odds can explore various Australian betting sites for the best markets.
