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A Group One plan devised in January by champion trainer Chris Waller is one step closer to being realised after Invincibella produced a barnstorming finish to win the Group Two Dane Ripper Stakes at Doomben.
Starting a $5.50 equal favourite on Saturday, Invincibella overhauled Prompt Response ($9.50) in the final stages to win by a long neck, with Moss Trip, the $5.50 equal favourite, a short half-head away third.
After Invincibella won the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares in January, Waller immediately set his sights on the Group One Tatts Tiara for the mare, which will be her next start at Doomben on June 23.
“After that win we purposely set her for the Tiara and the way she won today showed she’s right on target,” Waller said.
“The Tiara is a race you need to get the timing right so it’s good to have her winning and creeping up to that next grade of a Group One level.”
The Dane Ripper was the third leg of a feature race treble for Waller, who scored earlier in the day with Sambro in the Queensland Guineas and with The Autumn Sun in the Group One JJ Atkins Plate.
James McDonald will fly to England on Wednesday on a winning note after giving Invincibella a well-timed finish.
McDonald wasn’t sure on the home turn if Invincibella would make up the leeway on the leaders.
“At that stage I thought she was going to run a nice third, then a furlong from home when they started paddling I thought she was a chance of winning and then she sprouted wings,” McDonald said.
Fourth placegetter Siren’s Fury produced an eye-catching trial for the Tiara after coming from a clear last in the middle stages. – AAP