Yarraman Park sire I Am Invincible is up-and-running with his early-season winner Vinnie Eagle in New Zealand.

Vinnie Eagle (2g I Am Invincible – Sweet Maggie by Danehill Dancer) turned in a thoroughly professional effort, surging forward to lead and then finding the line strongly to take the CACI Whangarei Stakes (880m) by three-quarters of a length from Riding Shotgun (Iffraaj).

I Am Invincible is the only son of champion European sire Invincible Spirit at stud in Australia.  A magnificent individual, he has been very popular with breeders covering 427 mares in his first three seasons at stud and is set to cover another big book this year at a fee of $11,000.

Vinnie Eagle is raced by Pike’s Australian client Colin Keen and is eligible for the $250,000 Inglis 2YO Classic (1200m) at Rosehill in January.  “This was an easy opportunity for him and with the win he should already have enough to get a start in the Sydney race,” trainer Tony Pike said.  “Obviously he will be matching the Australian two-year-olds but he can have three weeks out and come back and have one run before going to Sydney.   He’s not a flashy two-year-old but he’s pretty professional.”

Vinnie Eagle was a $65,000 purchase for Pike from the Lustre Lodge draft at the Inglis Classic Summer Book Sale and is the second winner for a half-sister 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.”