Astute Scone trainer Rod Northam is no stranger to success in the $104,900 Inglis Scone 2YO Challenge and claimed the lucrative juvenile feature for the fourth time at Scone on Friday with promising I Am Invincible gelding Sargent Doakes.
An easy winner at his first two starts at Scone last December, Sargent Doakes was spelled with this race in mind and the plan came to fruition with a good ride from Robert Thompson.
Tuned up with a recent run at Muswellbrook in which his saddle slipped and he finished sixth, Sargent Doakes was right at his best today powering home from back in the field to win the 1200 metre contest by a length.
“He’s only a little horse, but he has a big stride and takes a while to wind up,” said Northam.
“The owner raced his full brother Bulletproof Monk, who ran third in this race last year, so decided to buy the brother and has gone one better.”
Sargent Doakes was plucked from the Middlebrook Station draft from the Inglis Scone Yearling Sale for $40,000 and has won three of four starts earning $104,525 for his lucky group of owners who include Gordon Henderson and Suni Carnes.
Bred by Jilly Henderson, Sargent Doakes is the last foal of good producing Rory’s Jester mare Momoco, who was retired from stud duties in 2013. She had 11 foals to race for 10 winners.
It’s the second year in a row the Inglis Scone Challenge has been won by an I Am Invincible, with the Rod Northam trained gelding Voodoo Lad successful last year.
Sargent Doakes is one of 13 two year-old winners this season for I Am Invincible, who is second to only Snitzel on the leading Australian two year-old sires list by winners.
I Am Invincible has four yearlings to be offered at the 2015 Inglis Scone Yearling Sale on Sunday and they will no doubt be in hot demand. Click here to see their pedigrees.
