Coming off debut win in a midweek at Canterbury, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained California Zimbol shapes as a favourites chance in Saturday’s Listed Bill Carter Stakes (1200m) for two-year-old fillies at Doomben on Saturday despite drawing barrier 18.
The strapping daughter of I Am Invincible defeated some richly pedigreed fillies with authority at her career debut on May 8. She showed plenty of gate speed and despite over-racing hit the line strongly.
Purchased by Asian Bloodstock Services for $450,000 out of the Yarraman Park draft at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, California Zimbol is a half-sister to the Listed MRC Alinghi Stakes winner From Within (Not A Single Doubt) and Listed MVRC Listed St Albans Stakes winner Cruden Bay (Not A Single Doubt).
Bred by Harry Mitchell and Michael Freedman, California Zimbol is out of the Anabaa (USA) mare Zimaretto, a half-sister to the Group II Surround Stakes runner-up Lady Cay (Marscay) whose imported dam Borely (GB) (Reprimand) is a granddaughter of Effervescence II (Charlottesville), a half-sister to the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) and Prix d'Ispahan winner Zeddaan (Grey Sovereign).
Best known in this part of the world as the sire of the one season phenomenon Adraan (GB), Zeddaan also produced the influential stallion Kalamoun, who kept the line going through Jeune’s sire Kalaglow, and Kenmare (FR) who remains an influence in both hemispheres.
I Am Invincible is having another incredible season. He recently set a new mark for individual stakes-winners and his babies have played their part.
With seven individual 2yo stakes-winners, I Am Invincible is on track for his first Champion 2yo Sire Title but his arch nemesis Snitzel is just over $100,000 in arrears and the high profile pair look set to take the title down to the final few weeks of the season.