Given time off after a troubled last of seven behind Switzerland in the Pierro Plate at Randwick in February, the regally-bred I Am Invincible colt Enriched served notice he could be a player in the 3-year-old features in the spring when he opened his account in the Tab Maiden Hcp (1100m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Given a rail-hugging ride by Jason Collett, the Michael Freedman-trained colt did not have to go around a horse to defeat the Super Seth filly Couples Retreat by a neck with the Exceed And Excel filly Celerity back in third.
Bred by Peter and Terry Board, Enriched is the third winner from four to race for the unraced Encosta De Lago mare Miss Atom Bomb, a half-sister to the great Winx and Group III winner El Divino.
Stable representative Sophie Johnson said the hulking son of I Am Invincible has returned a different horse.
“The time out has been a blessing for him; he has come back big and strong, has a lovely nature, and is easy to work with,” Johnson said.
“Michael has always liked the horse, and it was unfortunate that he pulled up sore after his first run.
“He is a big boy and will tighten up from this. Hopefully, he will be in for a nice spring.”
Consigned by Bhima Stud to the 2023 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Enriched was a $450,000 purchase for Michael Freedman Racing / Gandharvi / Mick Wallace.
Miss Atom Bomb has a 2-year-old colt by So You Think named Bundy, who will be raced by the Board family after being withdrawn from the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Snitzel covered the half-sister to World Champion Winx in December after missing to an earlier cover by Exceed And Excel.
Enriched was the first of three consecutive winners at Warwick Farm for Yarraman Park Stud’s reigning champion sire, I Am Invincible. He was followed by the 5-year-old mare There There and the 4-year-old mare Bonita Queen.