Dubai World Cup contender Invasor was Globeform's top-rated older horse last year.
After making his seasonal debut at Nad Al Sheba, 12 months ago, he improved steadily to a career-best show when he beat Bernardini and Premium Tap in the Breeders' Cup Classic (Gr 1) last November.
After sitting at the back of the field early on, he worked his way up to a challenging position, rounding the final bend. He still seemed to be running for second at best as they entered the straight, simply because Bernardini had kicked clear and looked full of energy.
Perhaps he was, but it was still not enough to deny Invasor. He came with a determined finish, to outstay Bernardini at the end of the 10-furlong contest, and win by a length. Premium Tap was 2 lengths further back in third.
Unusually long break
Breeders' Cup day was Invasor's first start for three months. That is an unusually long break when getting ready for the BC Classic, but Invasor is - and has always been - a horse who goes well fresh.
He had been off for over five months when winning his first stakes race in Uruguay as a 3-year-old, where he won all his five starts, and he was impressive off a near two-month layoff when landing the Pimlico Special (Gr 1) on his US debut.
He put up a solid performance, taking that race quite easily from Wanderin Boy, after having raced close to the pace throughout.
That was Invasor's first of five straight wins in the USA, and he has lost just once in his career (it happened at Nad Al Sheba).
After taking the Pimlico, he won the Suburban Handicap (Gr 1) at Belmont Park on July 1, and became a serious BC Classic contender. Although the opposition was not top class, the Suburban drew a decent seven-runner field and Invasor proved by far the best.
He had a troubled start but was soon close to the pace, and he kicked clear in the straight to beat Wild Desert. He was very strong at the finish and value for more than the official margin.
He confirmed his high class in the Whitney Handicap (Gr 1) at Saratoga in August. He was much the best when gaining a nose-win over a late charging Sun King - who was receiving 1,5kgs. The pair drew 5 lengths clear of the third-placed horse, West Virginia.
This win was not as easy but, despite being a photo finish winner, Invasor looked a class apart. His runner-up, Sun King, was coming off a second to Premium Tap in the Albert the Great at Belmont, and went on to run third to that same rival in the Woodward (Gr 1) at Saratoga next time out.
Invasor ran on Dubai World Cup night last year, when he contested the UAE Derby (Gr 2). He ran what could best be described as a promising race when fourth behind Discreet Cat.
Unbeaten in a small corner of the racing world, and being a totally unknown quantity, Invasor raced in fifth early - in a strongly run race - and finished an even fourth, beaten 7 lengths.
Better form
He returned no more than GF 100+ in the Derby. His form in 2005 was obviously better than that. The son of Candy Stripes won all his five races in Uruguay, where he won the Gran Premio Nacional Derby (Gr 1) by 6 lengths from Potri Flash.
The premier classic is staged over 2,500 metres on dirt at Maronas, where he did all his racing.
Invasor had previously won G1 events over 1,600 and 2,400 metres.
Invasor stays 2,400 metres well, and may even get further if asked to. He had a nice prep in the Donn Handicap (Gr 1) at Gulfstream Park in February - winning with ease.
Yes, I think we can safely say that Invasor has come a long way, since breaking his maiden in Uruguay. On that day, this colt was like a drop in the ocean. Today, he is one of the captains.
Geir Stabbell can be contacted at www.globeform.com
