The Brisbane Winter Carnival is just around the corner and the powerful Ciaron Maher stable produced a talented two year-old I Am Invincible colt at Eagle Farm on Saturday with Navy Pilot bouncing out of an unplaced run in the Group I ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes to open his account.
Beaten only three lengths by Vinrock at his previous start, Navy Pilot was a short priced favourite for the 1400m juvenile contest and gave Ryan Maloney an easy steer to win by a couple of lengths over Wootton Bassett (GB) first starter Freddie Bassett.
Navy Pilot was passed in shy of his $750,000 reserve at Magic Millions and retained to race by Phoenix Thoroughbreds, who will be well placed to have some fun with this colt as there will be plenty of stakes options coming up in Queensland if he continues to improve.
Navy Pilot is a full brother to multiple Group winner Tiz Invincible and is the third winner from three foals to race from Amuletum (GB), a winning half-sister by New Approach to Australian Horse of the Year Anamoe and stakes-winner Anamba from Group I SAJC Australasian Oaks winner Anamato.
Amuletum produced another filly by I Am Invincible last year before being covered by Wootton Bassett (GB).