Second to subsequent Group III ATC Breeders Plate winner Espionage at the official Sydney 2YO trials last month, expensive I Am Invincible colt Bodyguard was dispatched to Melbourne for the $175,000 Listed VRC Maribyrnong Trial (100m) at Flemington on Saturday and produced a stylish debut win in the James Harron Bloodstock colours.
Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, Bodyguard was cool and composed in the mounting yard and gave Craig Williams an easy steer. He settled behind the leaders and when angled into the clear was able to power home and win by two lengths from the $50,000 Inglis Classic bargain purchase Cerons, colt by Street Boss (USA). Expensive $1.15million Zoustar filly Altermatum was in third place.
“His attitude was unbelievable, he’s just very professional, which is what Peter (Snowden) said he was like from the first time he stepped into his yard after being broken in and you could see that today,” Craig Williams said.
“He was very impressive today to feel as a jockey, loved his attitude and his ability.”
Bred and sold by Emirates Park, Bodyguard was a $1.6million Magic Millions purchase for the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership and James Harron was at Flemington to see the glamour colt salute.
Bodyguard is of course eligible for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January, by Harron was non-committal about going to the Gold Coast.
“He’s an impressive colt, but still needs time to fill out and mature and will be better in the autumn,” he said.
Bodyguard is the first foal of Tumooh, an unraced half-sister by Fastnet Rock to Group III winner Dajraan from Golden Slipper winner Mossfun.
Tumooh has a yearling colt by Capitalist, but no foal this spring after missing to Tassort.
Bodyguard is the 99th stakes-winner for champion sire I Am Invincible and is his fourth from a daughter of Fastnet Rock.
