Group 1s on the horizon for Caballus
Caballus (I Am Invincible) again underlined Darby Racing’s buying prowess by easily winning his fourth black-type race since the syndicator purchased him in Saturday’s George Moore Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Doomben.
Ridden by Tommy Berry, the five-year-old provided a surprise by going to the lead from his wide gate but after having a comfortable time of it in front he kicked away in the straight to score by 3.02 lengths, in near course-record time of 1:07.84.
The gelding’s victory was his sixth from 18 starts. Originally bought for $1 million at Inglis Easter by Coolmore’s Tom Magnier from Bhima Thoroughbreds’ draft, he showed promise in winning his second start at Rosehill for Chris Waller.
But after three subsequent indifferent runs, he was put up for sale on Inglis Digital in October 2023. Darby purchased the then three-year-old colt for a not inconsiderable $315,000.
Sent to Darby’s main trainer Bjorn Baker, Caballus won his first two starts including Randwick’s Eskimo Prince Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m). After his form tapered away – including two last-placed finishes in his first two Group 1 starts – he was gelded and given a wind operation, and has come back a different horse.
He’s since won three black-type sprints from five starts – Scone’s Ortensia Stakes (Listed, 1100m), Flemington’s Rising Fast Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m), and now the George Moore.
He also ran eighth of nine in his third attempt at the top level, though in mitigation it came on a Heavy 9 in the VRC Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m).
With Baker having watched on from a holiday in Fiji, stable representative – bloodstock agent Jim Clarke – said Caballus had surprised by going to the front.
“It didn’t work out exactly the way we envisaged,” Clarke said.
“I think Tommy wanted to follow a couple but he jumped well and found the lead fairly easily.”
Clarke said Baker had high hopes Caballus could break through for an elite success.
“He won at Flemington during the carnival and I think Bjorn has pretty big aspirations for him, possibly in the autumn and back here in the winter,” he said.
“Maybe even a race like the Stradbroke would be ideal for him.”
Caballus was a slightly easy $5.50 equal third favourite in the George Moore.
Tony Gollan – winner of the previous four editions of the race – had to be content with second place this time through $9 chance Pereille (Fastnet Rock), another Inglis Digital graduate having formerly been with Godolphin. Billy Healey’s Cosmic Fire (Cosmic Force) was third at $14. Gollan’s Hidden Wealth (Better Than Ready), the $3.10 favourite, took fourth.
Berry said he was also surprised to find himself in front.
“It was the last place we expected to be but you’ve got to ride the horse how he jumps and he flew the gates,” he said.
“I thought there would be more speed in the race but they were all just having a look at each other and I thought, ‘Ah well, I’ll take it up’.
“I knew I was on the best horse all week and I was surprised that he wasn’t the favourite.
“He’s had a month in between runs, a nice freshen-up, and I knew on the way to the gates that he was on.”
Bred by Reg Ryan, Caballus is the best of five winners from five to race out of the Group 3-placed mare Calming Influence (Commands), herself a daughter of Adelaide Listed winner Calming (Zeditave).
Calming Influence has a yearling filly by Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon) and has a filly foal at foot by Zoustar (Northern Meteor).
Caballus is one of seven stakes winners this season for I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), who has 122 worldwide from 1312 runners at 9.3 per cent.