![Arabian Rose has already proved a bargain for Queensland trainer James Healy, who purchased the mare for just $7000 before setting his sights on the $2 million Invitation at Randwick. [Bradley Photos]](https://betsy.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2375117.jpg)
Arabian Rose has already been a fairytale buy for young Queensland trainer, James Healy, but that will go to a new level if she can win the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick.
The Sunshine Coast-based Healy purchased Arabian Rose as a tried horse for just $7000 through Inglis’ digital platform.
Since then, she has won six of her 13 starts, including the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at her home track in July, and most recently resumed with a close second to Saturday’s rival Gerringong in The Nivison (1200m).
It was that effort that earned her a spot in the Invitation (1400m) where a win would comfortably rank as a career highlight for Healy, who cut his teeth with Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in Melbourne before taking out his licence around six years ago.
“If she was to win, it would be a massive thrill, and who knows where it could take her?” Healy said.
“It has always been a two-run preparation whichever way we went, whether it was the Invitation or down to Melbourne.
“I’d say she’d go straight home (after Saturday) and have a spell. She has sort of done her job already this ‘prep’ getting a Group Three placing to her name and we can set her for the winter. I’d love to win a Stradbroke with her.
“We bought her online on Inglis Digital for $7000, so she has been a great buy.”
Arabian Rose has drawn ideally in barrier three, and Healy says she will strip fitter from her first-up run when she peaked on her effort over the final stages.
Both horse and trainer have remained in Sydney since, and Healy is content she’s in great shape for Saturday.
“She derived a lot of benefit from the run, the 1400 is going to suit, and it looks like she’ll get some soft ground,” Healy said.
“We’re going into the race full of confidence, and I’m confident she can run top three on Saturday.”
With Tommy Berry aboard topweight Lazzura for Chris Waller, Tiffani Brooker reunites with Arabian Rose after partnering her to victory in the Glasshouse Handicap.
The mare is $19 in early markets, which are headed by Lazzura at $3.20, while Arabian Rose’s Nivison conqueror Gerringong is a $4 chance and meets Arabian Rose a kilo worse at the weights
