Media Sensation Makes Impressive Return

Group One-winning Karaka graduate Media Sensation (I Am Invincible) began a new campaign on a brilliant note in Saturday’s $100,000 Group Two Dunstan Feeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe. 

Bought for $425,000 from Lime Country’s draft at the 2017 Premier Sale, Media Sensation was one of the best of her generation as a three-year-old, winning the Group One New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Group Three Soliloquy Stakes (1400m). Saturday’s victory, in her first appearance since March, hinted that she could be in for another big campaign.

Ridden by Opie Bosson, the five-year-old produced a dominant front-running performance against a talent-stacked field of fillies and mares. She went straight to the lead and stayed there, refusing to surrender when challenged in the straight and holding on to win by a short neck.

“We had been quite happy with her leading into this and had done a bit of work with her on the beach,” said Dawn Williams, who trains in partnership with husband Peter.

“She had a really good break over the winter and we didn’t rush her back. The time she spent at the beach has really brought her on, and she did look good heading to the start today.

“I think she is best at around 1200 to 1400 metres, so we have her nominated for the Railway (Group One, 1200m, January 1). Even though she got the mile when she won her Group One, she is better over the sprint distances.

“She just needs to get into a good rhythm, like she did today, and she can be a hard horse to get past.”

Raced by Barneswood Farm’s Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer, Media Sensation has now had 17 starts for seven wins, two placings and $385,315. She has now won at Group One, Group Two, Group Three and Listed level, pushing her potential broodmare value well beyond the prize-money she has earned.