Airman (AUS)
Airman (AUS)
2 g I Am Invincible – Zara Bay by Fastnet Rock
O: R & C Legh Racing Pty Ltd (Mgr: R P Legh), Seymour Bloodstock (Mgr: D S Thomas), Glentree Racing (Mgr: B W C Wilson), Exset Racing (Mgr: J Bartolo), Mrs B D Macdonald, G M C Livestock (Mgr: Mrs K A Carroll), C J Barham & T Goldsack
B: Chris and Jane Barham
T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes
S: Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale V: Segenhoe Stud Australia Pty Ltd B: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes P: $500,000
W: 2YO Maiden Handicap (1150m), Kensington, June 29
Airman (I Am Invincible) went into plenty of notebooks after a dominant display on the Kensington track on Wednesday.
Sent out a $3.80 chance, the gelding was ridden quietly by William Pike from his wide barrier (9) and settled just beyond midfield in the ten-runner field. He was still some five lengths from the leaders when Pike steered him through a gap at the 300 metres before finishing strongly to defeat Ithadtobezou (Zoustar) by one and a quarter lengths in the Bowermans Handicap (1150m).
“That was quite nice,” said Pike, who had ridden Airman in both of his barrier trials previously. “I was a 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 a lovely big horse, a really nice, good type. I think it’s a bonus being able to get around a track like that and still get the job done.
“He has got a lot of upside, so fingers crossed we can all nurture him through and he can make us look good.”
The 14th two-year-old winner from 54 runners this season for I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), Airman is the second foal and second winner out of the stakes-placed Zara Bay (Fastnet Rock), herself a sister to Group 1 winner Merchant Navy, Group 2 winner Jolie Bay and Listed winner Setanta.
A $500,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase by his trainers Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes last year, Airman was bred by Chris and Jane Barham, who also bred his dam Zara Bay (Fastnet Rock). His three-quarter sister by Shalaa (Invincible Spirit) was purchased by trainer Liam Howley, agent Andrew Williams and Two Bays Farm for $420,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Zara Bay had a Dundeel (High Chaparral) colt in October 2021 and was covered by Capitalist (Written Tycoon) last November.
Airman’s granddam Legally Bay (Snippets) won the Sweet Embrace Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) and was twice placed in Group 1 company. His third dam Decidity (Last Tycoon) won two races, before leaving three stakes winners – Group 1 winner Bonaria (Redoute’s Choice), and the Group 3 scorer Time Out (Rory’s Jester) as well as Legally Bay.
Champion sire elect I Am Invincible will stand for a fee of $247,500 (inc GST) at Yarraman Park this year.