I Am Invincible a chance for world stage

By Takeover Target

Lightly-raced sprinter I Am Invincible could be the horse to fill the void left by Takeover Target on the international stage with his connections flirting with the idea of running him at America's Breeders' Cup meeting in November.The $A1.2 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (1300m) was on Takeover Target's agenda before a career-ending injury in England last week and it is now a possibility for I Am Invincible if he can qualify with a win in the Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valle

The $A1.2 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (1300m) was on Takeover Target's agenda before a career-ending injury in England last week and it is now a possibility for I Am Invincible if he can qualify with a win in the Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 25.

"The owners are seriously thinking about it but they are hoping he can win a couple of races before then because the entry fee I think is $100,000," trainer Peter Morgan said.

As a part of a global expansion, the Manikato for the first time this year is a Breeders' Cup Challenge series race and the winner gets an automatic start in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita Park on November 7.

I Am Invincible, who hasn't raced since finishing second to Takeover Target in Adelaide's Group One Goodwood Handicap (1200m) on May 2, will resume in Saturday's Listed Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.

It will be only his 11th race start in a career which features four wins, his best being the Group Three McKay Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on April 18.

Morgan said I Am Invincible, who had three weeks off after the Goodwood, seemed to be an improving horse and that the feet problems he once suffered now seemed to be behind him.

"He always had feet issues but it certainly seems to be under control at the moment and it certainly was last May," Morgan said.

"He has to improve a little bit but we are hopeful he is one of these horses that jump out of the ground and make a headline.

"I am just hoping he has improved those couple of lengths."

Darren Gauci has forged a successful association with I Am Invincible since he was transferred from the John Hawkes' stable to Morgan at the end of last year and he will partner him again on Saturday.

"Darren rode him work at Caulfield on Tuesday and was pretty happy with him," Morgan said.

Morgan said the Monash would be I Am Invincible's lead-up to the Group Three Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) on August 1 before a freshen-up for the Group Three McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 12 and the Manikato.