Venus Invicta, a promising two-year-old filly trained by Kelly Schweida, delivered a commanding debut performance in the QTIS 2YO Plate over 1000 meters at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Purchased for $110,000 at the Magic Millions sale, the filly justified her favoritisim by leading from the start and pulling away to win by nearly two lengths, showcasing strong potential for upcoming races.
Despite a brief scare before the start when jockey Martin Harley was unseated after Venus Invicta became unsettled, the filly quickly settled and dominated the field. Schweida acknowledged the pre-race incident but expressed confidence in the filly’s composure and performance under race conditions. "She was really good today," Schweida said, noting that Venus Invicta showed typical first-start behaviors such as shying at the winning post, which can be expected when a young horse competes in its initial official race.
The victory has positioned Venus Invicta as a leading contender for the $3 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic scheduled for January. Schweida indicated plans to rest the filly for a couple of weeks before targeting the prestigious event. “I will give her a couple of weeks off and hopefully get her ready for the Magic Millions,” she remarked.
Venus Invicta entered the race as the $1.60 favorite, a position that drew some late betting hesitation, perhaps influenced by the initial pre-race incident. Nonetheless, the filly’s decisive win aligned with expectations based on her pre-race market confidence and trial performances. Schweida noted that many young horses come into their first starts with varied trial and jumpout experiences, highlighting Venus Invicta’s strong showing in comparison.
The Magic Millions 2YO Classic is one of Australia’s premier races for two-year-olds, attracting significant attention and top talent. Venus Invicta’s debut victory at Eagle Farm signals a promising start to her racing career and has raised anticipation for her potential impact in the upcoming event.