Quite a ride as Bella shines
INVINCIBELLA part-owner Matt Stiff has been on a journey to Australia’s biggest races with his horse but says it’s the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares win that means the world to him.
Stiff grew up in Palm Beach and went to Currumbin State School but moved to Sydney four years ago.
He returned to his home city to cheer Invincibella to a win in the $1 million race that carried $600,000 for the winning connections.
It capped off a stunning 18 months for Stiff and his coowners who have watched the Chris Waller-trained horse feature in races at the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate, Stradbroke Handicap, Doncaster Mile and The Everest meetings.
Invincibella stood tall at virtually all of the meetings, winning the Star Mile ahead of The Everest at Randwick and placing in three others.
“It means the world because Andrew Grant-Taylor and I have been breeding and racing these thoroughbreds for the last 15 years,” Stiff said.
“It’s been huge to say the least. We have had a lot of faith in one another to make sure we get to days like this.
“We have had some great winners but this is our primary baby girl and to see her succeed and great.
“Even though it’s not black type we still won a milliondollar race so we’re stoked to say the least.
“(The Magic Millions) is my biggest day as a Queenslander.”
It was one of two wins for Gold Coast jockey Robbie Fradd who also won the Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1200m) in the opening race of the day.
The South African hoop has won four Group 1 races but said his victories at the Magic Millions stacked up with all of them.
“It is very high up there with a lot of my wins all over the world,” Fradd said.
“To win some big races at home is great.” get her rewards is