Invisible Friend Reaffirms Her Promise
Sometimes early promise can be just that and it is never fulfilled, but then other times there might be a little tinkering needed to help reach the levels expected. Invisible Friend was a late comer to the track but made a nice impression last season. This season took a bit longer but she duly got off the mark for the year in the 1m2f Eco-Power Group Handicap at Doncaster.
Being by the great Sea The Stars always gives progeny an excellent chance. There is no guarantee but champion sires are that for a reason. Invisible Friend took her time top mature and only saw the track twice as a 3yo last season. A promising debut was followed by an easy win, both in novice company, and she looked set for a bright future. Unfortunately this season hasn’t gone to plan, but her runs were too bad to be true. That can be a blessing in disguise and it certainly was as she had a wind op, found after a poor showing.
With a break between runs, Invisible Friend headed to Doncaster on a bit of revival mission. If the wind op was the issue then there was confidence she could bounce back to form. Rowan Scott took the ride on the filly and took a positive approach from the off. Drawn on the inside she bounced out and headed to the lead agent the rail. Pestered for the lead, Rowan allowed a couple of his rivals to go and tucked in just behind the new leaders.
It was a fairly decent pace set and this allowed Invisible Friend to travel smoothly just off the lead. Rounding the bend and swinging into the home straight, the field had over 4f to run. They seemed to shoot off the bend and the tempo quickened up slightly with a few off the runners coming under pressure. Heading down the centre of the track the race started to develop into the 3f.
Invisible Friend cruised into contention and loomed up to the leader as they passed the 2f marker. Rowan began to wind his filly up and although she carried her head slight awkwardly, she lengthened. Yet to get serious, Rowan worked away and had his mount shifting through the gears. Pressing the button, Rowan asked his filly to go and win the race. She changed lead and joined the leader, fighting for control. As they moved into the final furlong she took the lead and continued to find for pressure. The further they went the stronger she was and Invisible Friend was pulling clear. The final 1/2 furling was probably her best and the 4yo filly kept on well to take the win by 1 1/2 lengths.
Invisible Friend put her best foot forward and certainly got her career back on track. When you have performances which are so far below their best then you have to go searching for an answer. Thankfully one was found with this filly and it clearly was holding her back. To perform like this following a break is impressive as her rivals were race fit. She can build on this and it will be interesting to see just where she can reach now.