Invincible Sprinter Claims Aurie’s Star

Tara Madgwick - Saturday August 11
A gallant second to a red hot sprinter Vega Magic at his last start in the Group III MRC Bletchingly Stakes, evergreen I Am Invincible gelding Voodoo Lad claimed another feature race win on Saturday when taking out the Group III VRC Aurie's Star Stakes at Flemington.

Voodoo Lad - Grant CourtneyVoodoo Lad first rose to prominence when winning the Inglis Scone Challenge in May of 2014 as a two year-old and now at age seven is still in top form for the powerful Darren Weir stable.

Twice second in Group I sprints earlier in his career, Voodoo Lad is a classy commodity when things go his way and under a cool ride from Damien Oliver he produced a sensational turn of foot to charge past the leader Home of the Brave to win the 1200 metre sprint by half a length.

"It was a great win," Oliver said.

"Darren's main focus with me was to just switch him off early and get him relaxed. He said if you get him relaxed in the first 400 metres you know you're going to be in the race.

"They didn't go quickly but he switched off nicely and then moved into it well.

"When I went to the second horse, he dug in and challenged us a bit but then this horse drew away.

"He's got an exceptional last 400 metres on him when he switches off and relaxes early."

Purchased for just $36,000 by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds from the Yarraman Park draft at the Inglis Scone Yearling Sale, Voodoo Lad has the overall record of 12 wins and 10 placings from 29 starts with prizemoney of $1.3 million.

"He's probably been a bit unlucky that he hasn't won a Group One," Darren Weir said.

I Am Invincible"He was a bit unlucky in the Rupert Clarke Stakes (in 2016).

"But he still might get his chance yet."

Voodoo Lad is the last foal and third winner for placed Gilded Time (USA) mare O'Fortuna, who died in 2012 and whose dam is a sister to champion sprinter Schillaci.

Voodoo Lad is the first stakes-winner of the new season for Yarraman Park's I Am Invincible, who is fully booked this spring at a fee of $192,500.


Advertisment
More Reading...
King of Roseau Wins G3 Aurie’s Star
Placed in the Listed VRC Poseidon Stakes at Flemington last spring as a three year-old behind Growing Empire, Capitalist gelding King of Roseau returned to the same venue on Saturday to capture the Group III VRC Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m).
Crossbow Takes Aim At Flemington To Score
With quality efforts behind handy horses in his first three starts, trainer Chris Waller crossed the border to Victoria with instant success for the Star Thoroughbreds raced Crossbow, with the well-marked son of Better Than Ready breaking through for an impressive win.
Sliding Doors Moment Delivers Feel Good Winner at Rosehill
Two fillies were born at Yulong in 2021 sired by Alabama Express from imported North American daughters of Street Cry, one of them is triple Group I winner Treasurethe Moment and the other is the feel good winner of the day at Rosehill on Saturday.
Kiwi Bred Keeps Winners Coming for Payne Stable
The Patrick and Michelle Payne-trained Bold Soul has been a consistent performer right through the winter months and notched another win at Flemington when prevailing in the VRC Membership Renewals Open (2530m) on Saturday.
Unique Filly a History Maker for Godolphin and Waller
The re-distribution of the Godolphin owned Australian racehorses has been a hot topic in recent weeks as they departed the care of James Cummings to join a wide spread of different trainers and one of those was Chris Waller, whose first runner for the blue army was a winner at Rosehill on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 1
Here is the full list of 35 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bountiful and Many Men to be Offered at Tattersalls Online Southern Hemisphere Pop-Up Sale
The high-class pair BOUNTIFUL (Zoustar) and MANY MEN (Study of Man) have been catalogued for the Tattersalls Online Southern Hemisphere Pop-Up Sale to be held in collaboration with Inglis Digital Australia on Wednesday 6th August to Thursday 7th August. Full details of the sale which will take place on the Tattersalls Online website are now available to view at www.tattersallsonline.com.
Kosciuszko calling Rosehill winner Elson Boy
Dubbo-trained Elson Boy was back in the winner’s circle after a 412-day absence when leading throughout to land the Jockeys Celebration Day Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill in the hands of apprentice William Stanley.
Dual Group Winner Too Darn Good At Flemington
A dual group winner during the Spring of her 3yo season, talented mare Too Darn Discreet showed an electric turn of foot, charging home over the top of them to win the Melbourne Cup Carnival On Sale (1620m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Winning Hat-Trick for Progressive Pierro
Richard and Will Freedman probably have more talented horses in the stable than Pierro gelding Cold Brew, but few have the consistency of this four year-old who landed a winning hat-trick at Rosehill on Saturday.