Invincible Spirit’s Magna Grecia Battles To Futurity Glory

[Wandering Eyes]

Bearing the mantle of leadership from Ballydoyle’s legions for Saturday’s G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy S., Smith, Magnier, Tabor and Flaxman Stables’ Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) had to go from boy to man in less than two minutes and roll up his sleeves to prevail in Doncaster’s straight-mile test of juvenile staying power. Second to TDN Rising Star Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) in Newmarket’s G3 Autumn S. over this mile trip Oct. 13, the 2-1 favourite raced in fifth early under Donnacha O’Brien with the stable setting a fierce pace with Western Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}) towing Circus Maximus (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Needing niggling along and looking for a spell to be in trouble off that demanding tempo, the imposing bay entered contention inside the final quarter mile and there were five in line with little between them approaching the half-furlong marker. They included all three from Ballydoyle and the G3 Acomb S. winner and G2 Champagne S. runner-up Phoenix of Spain (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), as well as the Listed Ascendant S. scorer Great Scot (GB) (Requinto {Ire}), but it was Magna Grecia who had the strongest final input to beat Phoenix of Spain by a head. Western Australia stuck on to be 3/4 of a length away in third, despite having raced on the edge throughout, with Circus Maximus and Great Scot just a short head and a neck further behind. The winner, who provided a ninth renewal for Aidan O’Brien, had to survive a stewards’ inquiry as he caused interference to the runner-up late on. “He’s still a little bit green and babyish, but he’s coming forward lovely and would have learnt a lot today,” Aidan said. “He had to fight to the line and is a lovely horse who is a miler. That’s what we think–that will be his thing and he might not get a lot further.”

MAGNA GRECIA (IRE), c, 2, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–Cabaret (Ire) (GSW-Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (340,000gns Wlg ’16 TATFOA). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Flaxman Stables (Ireland) Ltd; B-Wood Nook Farm Pty Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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