Twice second in Group I sprints last season, Voodoo Lad (image Grant Courtney) appreciated a drop in
grade having finished unplaced at his previous run in the Group I BRC Stradbroke
Handicap on heavy ground.He relished a return home to a shorter trip and better surface to power clear and win the 1100 metre dash by a length and a half as favourite.
"Today he was awesome," said winning rider Brad Rawiller.
"That turn of speed he had from the top of the straight, he was explosive.
"I was so happy with him going to the barriers, just how he was in himself.
"I just thought, 'this is perfect'. And I couldn't see how if he was right he wouldn't be winning this race today.
"To come out and see him do it like that was nice to see."
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 11 wins and nine placings from 27 starts with prizemoney topping $1.1 million.
He 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 one of 32 stakes-winners for Yarraman Park's flagship sire I am Invincible, who went close to a stakes double with Invinzabeel a good second in the Listed ATC Winter Stakes at Rosehill.
I Am Invincible is the leading sire of two year-old winners in Australia this season and added a 24th juvenile winner to his tally on Saturday with a Gold Coast victory for Winter Passage.
I Am Invincible is fully booked this spring at a fee of $192,500.
