Written by Paul Vettise
Group 1 features are already on the longer-term agenda for the smart filly Muntaseera (I Am Invincible), who successfully kick-started a new association with her maiden victory at Rosehill.
The filly had finished runner-up on debut in the G3 Ottawa S. at Flemington where she was slowly into stride and she overcame another tardy beginning in Saturday’s Sky Racing Active H. to win with authority.
She is trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace for breeder and owner Sheikh Mohammad Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, whose Australian bloodstock interests are managed by the Melbourne-based Tim Stakemire.
“She’s a filly we’ve got a really big opinion of and it’s thanks to the Sheikh and Tim for giving her to us. It’s the first year we’ve trained for them and we’ve got a couple of nice fillies in the team,” said Annabel Neasham, who runs the stable’s Sydney operation at Warwick Farm.
“She’s a filly we’ve got a really big opinion of and it’s thanks to the Sheikh and Tim for giving her to us.” – Annabel Neasham
Muntaseera didn’t begin the best and settled a clear last in a small field before she was angled wide on the turn and flattened out stylishly to win going away.
“She looked like she wasn’t travelling that well near the turn, but she gave a great kick and won very well,” Neasham said.
Muntaseera has now raced into the mix for the G1 Blue Diamond S. and the G1 Golden Slipper S.
“We’ll definitely be looking at those. We’ll see how she comes through this and then probably give her a bit of a freshen up and then think of those big races.”
Hugh Bowman, said he went to the start with full confidence in the 2-year-old
Muntaseera was ridden by Hugh Bowman, who said he went to the start with full confidence in the 2-year-old.
“I was really pleased with her and I expected her to go very well. She was one of only two with race experience and I saw her run in Melbourne.
“She’s a sensible filly and did well and she’s only going to improve.”
“She’s a sensible filly and did well and she’s only going to improve.” – Hugh Bowman
When Muntaseera was asked to pick up ground near the turn, she did so willingly and Bowman was able to put James McDonald’s mount Chilliwack (Exceed And Excel) into a pocket.
“That wasn’t really my intention, it was just the time I made my move,” Bowman said. “I wasn’t afraid to make her use herself and she put a margin on them.
“She switched off a bit as well so she’s got a lot more to offer.”
Muntaseera has 'a lot more to offer'
Chilliwack got out to finish off for second with Time For Peace (Time For War) taking third ahead of Dominant Lady (I Am Invincible).
Muntaseera has a rich pedigree and is a half-sister to the winner Maisaa (Zoffany {Ire}), and they are out of the unraced Redoute’s Choice mare Moosirra.
She is a sister to the former champion South African 2-year-old Musir, who won the G1 Greyville Golden Horseshoe S. and a half-sister to the Group winners Merhee (Elusive Quality {USA}) and Moofeed (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}).
The pedigree page also features the former top Japanese 3-year-old colt King Kamehameha (Jpn), a multiple stakes winner and champion sire.
