STAR HEADING FOR THE INVITATION

Startantes, for the Robert Heathcote stable, has become the first horse invited to run in The Invitation in Spring. Fresh off a win in the Group One Tatts Tiara, Startantes is in line to compete for $12m in prize money in the space of a week.

Racing NSW kicked off its requirement process for The Invitation by extending an offer to race to the Heathcote stable and Startantes on Monday evening.

The 1400m event for fillies and mares will take place at Randwick racecourse on October 22nd with a final field of 12 runners to be invited to the  $2m contest.

Trainer Robert Heathcote has confirmed his interest in targeting the feature to Racing NSW for a second consecutive year and looks poised to target Sydney’s eye-popping autumn riches throughout the spring.

The Invitation will take place just a week before the $10m Golden Eagle, which Startantes holds eligibility for as a four-year-old mare in the spring.

Startantes currently rates as a $21 chance for The Golden Eagle having had her price cut in the wake of her Tatts Tiara win.

After that win Startantes went straight to the paddock with Heathcote confirming he initially had one eye on taking the daughter of Star Turn to Melbourne for the Spring.

“I am going to have to evaluate that now because she hasn’t had a break for two preparations but gee, there are some nice fillies and mares races down there,” he said.

Startantes finished last in last year’s Invitation as a three-year-old with the Brad Widdup-trained Icebath taking out the inaugural edition of the event.

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