After having little luck at his first two stats, solidly supported favourite Invader Zim enjoyed a trouble-free passage to get the job done in the DrinkWise Maiden Plate (1200m) at Rosehiill on Wednesday.
Given a pearler by Nash Rawiller, the Chris Waller-trained son of Invader tracked the early speed before the seas parted for him in the straight. Invader Zim defeated the Deep Field gelding Marchesi by one and a half lengths with the Capitalist gelding Je Reve back in third.
“He’s a special horse. Karen McDowell from our office is the reason we got the horse,” Chris Waller revealed.
“Her mum, Sharon, from NZ Bloodstock, sent the horse over on behalf of the owners. He came over with a bit of a wrap and has been unlucky.
“It was great to see when that gap came, he showed good acceleration.”
A $65,000 pinhook for Kilgravin Lodge/Bevan Smith Bloodstock from the Alexia Fraser Bloodstock draft at the 2021 National Weanling Sale, Invader Zim failed to meet his reserve at Karaka in 2022. Reoffered by Kilgravin Lodge at the 2022 NZB Ready To Run Sale, the son of Invader was knocked down to Dungowan Racing / Waikato Bloodstock for $150,000.
Invader Zim is the third winner for the Kingmambo mare Puppet Queen (USA), a half-sister to Hong Kong Horse Of The Year Vengence Of Rain, AJC Oaks heroine Dizelle (dame of VRC Oaks winner Pinot), and stakes winner Bericia (dam of Tulloch Stakes winner Old North).
Hancox Bloodstock bought a Brave Smash (JPN) filly out of Puppet Queen for $20,000 from the Yulong draft at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Amy Feng bought Puppet Queen for $17,000 at the 2022 National Broodmare Sale when carrying the Brave Smash (JPN) filly.
