A promising field went around in the first two year-old maiden at Randwick on Wednesday and I am Invincible gelding Airman produced an eye-catching performance to win on debut.
Trained by Team Hawkes and ridden by Willie Pike, Airman was featured in a recent Breednet ‘Juvenile Trial Watch’ story and the tall leggy youngster kept up the good work on race day.
Allowed to settle back in the field and find his feet, Airman unleashed a strong finish to charge home and win the 1150m contest by a length and a quarter.
“That was quite nice,” said Willie Pike, who has ridden Airman in both of his previous trials as well.
“I was little bit worried when the leader kicked, but as soon as he got into that gap and let down he was always going to be hard to beat.
“He’s got a lot of upside for the future.”
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.
Foaled, raised and sold by Segenhoe, Airman is the second foal and second winner from stakes-placed Fastnet Rock mare Zara Bay, a sister to Group I winner Merchant Navy, Group II winner Jolie Bay and stakes-winner Setanta.
Segenhoe sold a Shalaa (IRE) filly from Zara Bay for $420,000 at Magic Millions this year and she has a Dundeel colt to follow.
Airman is the 15th 2YO winner this season for Yarraman Park’s champion sire I Am Invincible.
