Written by Paul Vettise
The addition of headgear has sharpened Efflorescence (I Am Invincible), who showed his progressive nature with a game display at Caulfield to open his metropolitan account.
The Anthony Freedman-trained colt made all the running in the Neds Price Boost Multi H. in the hands of Billy Egan and hung on tenaciously for the second win of his career.
Efflorescence had finished fourth in his first two appearances before blinkers were fitted and he produced a dominant front-running performance to post a clear-cut victory in the synthetic track at Ballarat before bringing that form to town on Saturday.
“He’s been a work in progress and has improved throughout his preparation. He’s become more race savvy and when you reach this level you need to do everything right to win,” Freedman’s son and Assistant Trainer Sam said.
“He’s working through his grades nicely. In his first couple of starts, we didn’t have the blinkers on him and he was a little slow away on both occasions and then at his previous start, he pinged the gates.
“He’s become more race savvy and when you reach this level you need to do everything right to win.” – Sam Freedman
“Today, he was a little tardy away and in his next preparation we’ll probably look to try and ride him with a bit of cover in his trials and early in the prep.”
Efflorescence revelled in his work at the head of the field and surged clear at the top of the straight and stayed on gamely to hold out the late charge of the Matt Laurie-prepared Wunambal (Wandjina).
Efflorescence (inside) held off a late charge from Wunambal
“He’s a nice, big, scopey horse, but he’s still a bit green and there’s a fair bit more to come,” Laurie said.
Bred by Saconi Thoroughbreds, Efflorescence was offered at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Rosemont Stud and went to the final $510,000 bid of Phoenix. He is a brother to the winner Invincible Lotus with their dam the G2 Stocks S. winner Oasis Bloom (Al Maher).
She is a half-sister to the dual Listed winner Underestimation (Al Samer) and their mother is a half-sister to Lady Purpose (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), also a two-time black-type winner.
“It’s a big thrill for Phoenix Thoroughbreds who have entrusted us with this colt. He was obviously an expensive yearling and he’s just a frame at this stage, he’s another six months away so hopefully, he can keep going through the grades,” Freedman said.
Efflorescence was a $510,000 yearling from the draft of Rosemont Stud at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
