First Winner for I Am Invincible

Two year-old racing in Australia might still be a few more weeks away, but they are up and running in New Zealand and Australian bred I Am Invincible gelding Vinnie Eagle opened his account with a debut win at Ruakaka on Saturday.

Ridden by Leith Innes, Vinnie Eagle turned in a thoroughly professional effort, surging forward to lead on the fence from barrier two and then finding the line strongly to take the 880 metre scamper by three-quarters of a length as a red hot favourite.

Vinnie Eagle was a $65,000 purchase for his co-trainer Tony Pike from the Lustre Lodge draft at the Inglis Classic Summer Book Sale and is the second winner for Sweet Maggie, a half-sister by Danehill Dancer (IRE) to Kiwi Group I winner Nashville.

"Tony has been telling us for some time now that this horse was going well and had good ability, so we're not surprised to see him come out and win," said Harry Mitchell of Yarraman Park.

"We've had a lot of very positive feedback on his stock and have booked in a number of mares this spring based on what his two year-olds are showing, so that's got to be a very good sign."

Vinnie Eagle been a great sort from day one as you can see in this foal photo taken of him at Lustre Lodge in 2011.