Moreira wins on debutante Invincible Star

Gai Waterhouse has linked with star Hong Kong-based jockey Joao Moreira to win the opening race on Melbourne Cup day with Invincible Star.

Moreira guided debutante Invincible Star to an all-the-way win in Tuesday’s Group Three Ottawa Stakes (1000m) for two-year-old fillies at Flemington.

Waterhouse, who now trains in partnership with Adrian Bott, will target the $2 million Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast in January with Invincible Star.

“I knew I had my strongest hand today and I thought ‘I’ve got magic on my side’,” Waterhouse said.

Moreira is the champion jockey in Hong Kong as has been dubbed ‘the Magic Man’.

“She was just too quick for everyone else in the race,” Moreira said.

“She’s shown she’s a talented filly.”

Invincible Star ($16) sped along in front with the field splitting into two sections.

Odds-on favourite Madeenaty ($1.60) led the division on the rail side while Invincible Star was in front of the field closer to the grandstand side.

Invincible Star defeated Lucky Louie by 2-1/4 lengths while Madeenaty ($1.65) was another long neck away, despite being comfortably the first horse home on the inside section.

“This little filly has been down here for quite some time. She’s a Magic Millions filly and you’ll see a clean pair of heels up there,” Waterhouse said.