The most expensive yearling ever sold in Victoria, exciting I 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.
