Scone, May 16 – With first (Voodoo Lad) and third (Bulletproof Monk) home in the $100,000 Inglis Scone 2YO Challenge, the I Am Invincible show rolled into Scone on Friday.
Local trainer Rod Northam won his third Inglis 2YO Challenge in five years thanks to a strong performance by progressive gelding Voodoo Lad.
Voodoo Lad jumped straight on the speed for jockey James McDonald and travelled very smoothly in the run before dashing away at the top of the straight to win by a length and a half.
“I have always thought he would make a good horse and this is the race we aimed him at. Winning this race three times on my home track is a real thrill,” said a jubilant Rod Northam.
The other recent Inglis 2YO Challenge winners trained by Rod Northam were Okane (2010) and Tinszelda (2012).
Winning rider James McDonald is confident that Voodoo Lad can continue to step up to the next test set by Northam.
“He only does what he has to but he had something left in the tank on the line. He is a nice horse. I think he has a big future,” said McDonald.
Voodoo Lad was a $36,000 purchase by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud at the 2013 Inglis HTBA Scone Yearling Sale.
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.
The two-year-old is raced by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia, Mr D Anderson, Mr P W Blackburn and Voodoo Lad’s breeder Noel Leckie.
“It’s a great thrill to win the race and having bred the winner makes it even better. I always liked him and that is why I bought back a share,” added Leckie.
This victory takes Voodoo Lad’s earnings to $102,110 thanks to two wins and a second placing from three starts.
