The
most expensive yearling ever sold in Victoria, excitingI Am Invincible colt Octane
opened his account with a dominant win at Wangaratta on Monday.
Narrowly beaten when making his debut at Cranbourne on August 12 on heavy
ground, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained colt was fitted with blinkers
for this 1100 metre maiden and sent out a red hot favourite.
Tardy from the gates for Michael Dee, Octane settled behind the leaders again
showing a high head carriage as he did at his first outing, but surged to the
front down the running and won comfortably by two and three-quarter lengths.
"He was a class above this field as we thought," said Michael Dee.
"With the blinkers on he just missed the start. He can be a bit awkward, but he
was too good."
A Moonee Valley race in a couple of weeks time was mentioned as a next stepping
stone for Octane as he progresses towards stakes races later in the spring.
A $1.4 million Inglis Premier purchase for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the
Gilgai Farm draft, Octane runs for a big syndicate of stable clients including
Gilgai Farm. He is a half-brother to Group I VRC Newmarket Handicap winner The
Quarterback and Group II winner Philippi being the seventh winner from seven to
race from terrific producer Soorena.
Gilgai Farm sold a full brother to Octane at Inglis Easter this year to Team Hawkes
for $1.4 million and Soorena was covered by Sebring last spring after missing
the previous season.