With his star son Brazen Beau getting ready to take on the world’s best turf sprinters in the Group I Darley July Cup at Newmarket in the UK later tonight, leading young sire I Am Invincible was in top form at home with a new stakes-winner on his resume after Illustrious Lad captured the Listed VRC AR Creswick Stakes Series Final at Flemington.
Consistent without winning since scoring at Geelong at the end of April, Illustrious Lad dashed slate with a well-timed run for Craig Williams to win the 1200 metre sprint by half a head.
Illustrious Lad is the first stakes winner for trainer Darryl Blackshaw, who took over the three-year-old gelding when former trainer Peter Gelagotis was disqualified for three months in May.
“He’s a straight forward horse to train and I felt he was crying out for 1200 metres,” Blackshaw said.
“We got through the heats and he trained very well coming into this so we were confident.”
Blackshaw, who trains from stables alongside Gelagotis in Moe, said a short break is likely for Illustrious Lad, who has won four of 14 starts earning nearly $150,000 in prizemoney.
“He’s done a very good job and I think a break will be good for him now, let his strengthen up and develop.”
Bred and sold by Yarraman Park, Illustrious Lad was a $40,000 Magic Millions purchase for part-owner Anthony Pannozzo and is the only living foal of Group III placed Zeditave mare Industrious, who comes from the family of brilliant sprinters Better Than Ready, Miss Mooney Mooney and Publishing.
Illustrious Lad is the eighth stakes-winner for outstanding young sire I Am Invincible, who is fully booked at Yarraman Park at a fee of $55,000.
