Lady looks invincible

Invincible Lady returns to racing over a shorter distance at the Vaal tomorrow and that could see her finally pay a second visit to the winner’s enclosure.

This Alec Laird-trained filly lines up in Race 7, a MR 74 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1450m on the Classic track after having campaigned over further over the past few months.

She has been the model of consistency and in her 10 career runs, with one win, five seconds, three thirds and one fourth place, has not finished out of the money.

She ran second on debut over 1400m and then won her maiden in her second start, over the same distance. In her third run, again over 1400m, she was touched off by Comme-Ci-Comme-Ca after which a decision was taken in the middle of last year to try her over 1800m.

Doubts were expressed as to whether she would see it out and after she looked a possible winnner 400m out, Invincible Lady tired over the last bit to finish a 3.10-length second behind Jet Start.

She is an honest enough per-former, and whatever distance they have raced her over, Invincible Lady tries her heart out but has yet to get back in the No 1 box.

She was tried over 2600m last time and still managed to run fourth. Perhaps this drop in distance is just what she needs.

Laird has found a very nice race for his charge as well because the opposition does not look particularly strong.

She has been running in Assessment Plates in better fields and on what is a very tough card, she could turn out to be the best bet.

Her only run on this course was in August last year over 1800m and on that occasion she finished third, beaten 2.75 lengths by Pretty Ballerina. Raymond Danielson has ridden her in last seven starts and is back aboard this time.

On a course and over a distance where a good draw is vital, Invincible Lady will jump from barrier No 3.

Her main danger looks to be Queen Moira as this four-year-old filly has raced in similar company but based on their run against Artemisia over 1600m on the Turffontein Inside track last November, Invincible Lady has Lucky Houdalakis’ charge well held.

Laird’s runner finished second beaten 1.50 lengths while Queen Moira was a further three lengths back and is now 1.5kg worse off .

S’manga Khumalo takes the ride on Queen Moira.

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