It doesn’t come much better than to shed the maiden tag by two and three-quarter lengths on a Saturday at Flemington in the manner of the three-year-old Invader gelding Robrick.
Ridden by Damian Lane for Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr), Robrick made a one-act affair of the VRC Member Matthew Hodder (Bm70) (1410m).
Making his third start, the Ontrack Thoroughbreds colour bearer defeated the Starspangledbanner debutant City Thunder with the Written By colt Gangitano Back a further one and a quarter length back in third.
Robrick was a fighting second on debut at Moe to the smart Mollynickers. After disappointing at Caulfield last start, he had blinkers added, and they seem to have done the trick.
“That was fantastic. With a bit of room on a big track, up in trip, blinkers on and a lovely ride by Damian, he exceeded our expectations,” Michael Kent (Jnr) said.
“It’s his first preparation, so we will get him home and make a plan on Monday.”
Bred by respected veterinarian Dr Richard McClenahan of Mullaglass Stud, Robrick was a $220,000 purchase for Ontrack Thoroughbreds from the Valiant Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
The third most expensive yearling by his sire in 2022, Robrick is the first foal of the unraced Lope De Vega mare Dorotea.
A daughter of the Listed AJC Keith Mackay Handicap winner Readyor More Than Ready), from the family of the champion Triscay, Dorotea has a colt by Anders that was a $50,000 purchase for Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Attunga Stud draft at the 2023National Weanling Sale.
Dorotea as covered by Kia Ora Stud’s Golden Slipper winner Farnan last spring.
Snitzel’s striking son Invader stands at Aquis Farm in 2023 for the value fee of $11,000.
