Invincible Sprinter Surprises in $1million G2 Premiere

Tara Madgwick - Saturday October 5

Everest intrigue intensified following the running of the $1million Group II ATC Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday with unheralded I Am Invincible gelding Airman producing a career best performance to hold off fast finishing G1 winners Mazu, Bella Nipotina and Giga Kick to score his first stakes win.

Airman scores a shock win in the G2 Premiere - image Steve Hart

Trained by Team Hawkes, Airman worked through his grades last year and showed more than a glimmer of elite ability when splitting I Am Me and Bella Nipotina in the $2million ATC Sydney Stakes on Everest Day. His subsequent runs have largely been below par and this preparation he’s been sixth at his first two runs back behind Joliestar and McHale so was hardly expected to trouble the Everest bound A listers.

But trouble them he did under a super ride from Zac Lloyd. Airman jumped swiftly and with the two horses drawn inside of him firing straight to the front he was allowed to find the fence and spend no petrol in the run.

When shown clear running after turning for home, Airman had a red hot go and it was good enough to deliver a head win in a thriller!

Advertisement

Michael Hawkes didn’t expect to be in the winner’s circle, but was happy to take the win.

“When Zac came out, obviously he’d just ridden the Flight Stakes winner, we spoke about this race and the plan about being fourth one out and as he walked away he said ‘Listen, I’ll win and he’ll get in the Everest and the rest is history.’… I didn’t believe him!” said Hawkes, who indicated connections would be open to Everest offers.

Airman added to a great day for Zac Lloyd - image Steve Hart

“I’ve always had a lot of confidence in this horse and when he won here last year, I think it Was Epsom day, he really blew them away and obviously it was a very strong field today, a secondary Everest, but he did everything right and I was more than happy to come up the fence,” said Zac Lloyd.

Airman was a $500,000 Inglis Easter purchase.

A $500,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Hawkes Racing from the Segenhoe Stud draft, Airman runs for a syndicate headed by Rupert Legh in whose colours he runs with his breeder Chris Barham also in the ownership.

He has the overall record of six wins and three placings from 15 starts with prizemoney of $1.3million.

Foaled, raised and sold by Segenhoe, Airman is the best of three winners from stakes-placed Fastnet Rock mare Zara Bay, a sister to Group I winner Merchant Navy, stakes-winner Setanta and Group II winner Jolie Bay, the dam of Group I winner Joliestar, who heads next to The Everest.

Zara Bay has foaled this spring producing a filly by Home Affairs that will be a three-quarter sister to Airman.

Airman is the 109th stakes-winner for reigning champion sire I Am invincible.

Advertisment

Race Result - Precise Air Premiere Stakes Gr2 1200m

Randwick Track: Good(4) Time: 1:09.73
1
Airman
- 5g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Zara Bay (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Zac Lloyd 58.5
I Am Invincible
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $500,000
Seller: Segenhoe Stud Australia Pty Ltd, Scone
Buyer: Hawkes Racing
2
0.2
Mazu
- 6g Maurice (JPN) x Chatelaine (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: N Rawiller 58.5
Inglis Classic Yearling Sale $180,000
Seller: Parsons Creek Pastoral Co, Milbrodale
Buyer: Triple Crown Syndications
3
0.3
Bella Nipotina
- 7m Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Bella Orfana (AUS) (Star Witness (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Craig Williams 56.5
Pride Of Dubai
Inglis Chairman's Sale $4,200,000
Seller: Ciaron Maher Racing, Melbourne, Vic
Buyer: Longwood Thoroughbred Farm Pty Ltd
Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale Book 1 $80,000
Seller: Rosemont Stud, Gnarwarre
Buyer: Lindsay Park Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Mt Hallowell Stud
4
1
Giga Kick
- 5g Scissor Kick (AUS) x Rekindled Applause (GB) (Royal Applause (GB))
Tnr: Clayton Douglas Rdr: J B Mc Donald 58.5
5
1.3
Coal Crusher
- 7g Turffontein (AUS) x Media Academy (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: J Parr 58.5
6
2.5
Think About It
- 6g So You Think (NZ) x Tiare (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: J R Collett 58.5
7
3.7
Bandi's Boy
- 5g The Brothers War (USA) x Tibidabo (AUS) (Hinchinbrook (AUS))
Tnr: D A Williams Rdr: J Ford 58.5
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 1
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Lightly Raced Stayer Wins Sandown Cup
The $175,000 Listed MRC Sandown Cup (3200m) on Sunday featured some battle hardened  old stayers, but it was the young kind on the block that got the prize with four year-old Tavistock gelding Diwali scoring his first stakes win.
The Secret is Out!
He has big shoes to fill as a half-brother to a $12million earner, but there is no secret about his ability! 
Familiar Faces Win $100,000 Jumps Features at Sandown
Jumps racing took centre stage at Sandown on Sunday with some familiar colours and faces winning both the $100,000 Australian Steeplechase (3900m) and the $100,000 Australian Hurdle (3900m).
Magic Justify x Fastnet Rock Cross Strikes in Hong Kong
With Justify’s very best son City of Troy (USA) shuttling to Coolmore Australia this spring it’s worth remembering the power of the Justify x Fastnet Rock nick and we saw it to the fore at Sha Tin on Saturday when Australian bred four year-old Pray for Mir took out the Group III The Lion Rock Trophy (1600m).
Cool Aza Beel Strikes Again
Proven Te Akau Racing filly Cool Aza Rene put her quality on display when prevailing in a competitive Nellies Restaurant and Bar 2YO (820m) at Wingatui on Sunday.
Aussie Bred Trifecta in G3 Sha Tin Vase
Toronado (IRE) gelding Helios Express led home a tricta for Aussie bred sprinters in the Group III Sha Tin Vase (1200m) on Saturday defeating Invincible Sage (Thronum) and Patch of Theta (Zoustar).
Research on Equliume Light Mask
Don’t take our word for granted ….. Research on the Equilume Light mask for the pregnant mare and foal
New Classic Prospect and New Aussie 2YO Winner for Wootton Bassett
The Group III JRA Derby Trial (2000m) at Baden Baden in Germany overnight produced a new stakes-winner for Wootton Bassett (GB) with lightly raced colt Juwelier staking a claim for classic success.
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 31
Here is the full list of 116 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.