Just one of the six starters in Wednesday's Vinery Stud Maiden Hcp (1250m) at Canterbury had a start under their belt, and it was one of the newcomers, Minsk Moment, who prevailed.
The son of I Am Invincible found a willing opponent in the stubborn Capitalist colt Stick To Your Guns, who was the only starter to have had a previous start.
Under hard riding by James McDonald, Minsk Moment edged Stick To Your Guns by a short-half-head with the Snitzel colt bend The Knee a further four and a quarter lengths back in third.
Minsk Moment was purchased by James Bester Bloodstock/Coolmore Stud for $575,000 from the Yarraman Park Stud draft at the 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
"We are blessed to have a lovely crop of colts this year," stable representative Charlie Duckworth said.
"It's taken a bit of time to get to the bottom of this guy and work out where he sits.
"He trialled well leading into today. He drew a perfect barrier, and you don't like to give them too hard a time, especially first-up on a heavy track.
"It seemed that every time James went for him, he would surge but did not know how to put the race to bed. I'm sure he will improve enormously."
Bred by K Biggs Enterprises Pty Ltd and T Russell, Minsk Moment is the first foal of the Oratorio (AUS) mare Dancing Express, runner-up in the Group III WATC Sires' Produce Stakes and Group III Champion Fillies Stakes.
A half-sister to stakes-winner Stagnite (Danehill Express), Dancing Express has a yearling filly by Hellbent, who Australian Bloodstock purchased for $100,000 out of the Yarraman Park Stud draft at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
After foaling a Hellbent colt last spring, Dancing Express was covered by Pride Of Dubai.
Minsk Moment becomes the 14th individual 2yo winner by I Am Invincible in Australia this season.
