Purchased by Yulong following his unbeaten juvenile season highlighted by a memorable victory in the Group I ATC Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick, exciting I Am Invincible colt Vinrock hit top form at Flemington on Saturday.
Trained by Matt Laurie, Vinrock was beaten first up over 1200m last month, but stepped back out to 1400m for the Listed VRC Exford Plate, the powerhouse bay quickly found his mojo.
He looked head and shoulders above his rivals in the mounting yard and it proved that way out on the track as he surged clear for Mark Zahra to win by nearly two lengths over a pair of Wootton Bassett contenders in West of Swindon and Wise Inlaw.
Mark Zahra has ridden Vinrock in every start to date and has a great association with the colt.
“I think he handles all conditions, he just needed the run (last start) and 1200 (metres) isn't his go,” said Zahra.
“He's a big fat colt, he might've needed it, we always said he would and he's proven us right, second up, on the big track, he's gone very good today."
Matt Laurie was thrilled with the performance and can now plot a path to the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas in October.
"I think he's a pretty tough horse; you put it to him and he tries pretty hard, so I think when the going gets tough he'll give his best,” Laurie said.
“He's a quality colt, he's by the right stallion (I Am Invincible). I'm really pleased for Yulong, they've purchased him, he's going to be standing there one day, and it's nice to add to his CV again.
"I was hoping we'd be going to a Golden Rose (G1) third up. I still think we should be looking that path, but we'll have a good chat tomorrow."
Vinrock was a $300,000 Inglis Premier purchase from Rosemont Stud for Matt Laurie Racing / Wilannah Park Bloodstock and has four wins from five starts with over $1million in prizemoney.
Bred by Rosemont Stud, he is the best of three winners from Group II VRC Matriarch Stakes (2000m) winner Girl Gone Rockin’, a half-sister by Redoute’s Choice to Group III winner Syreon from Group II winner Sorrento.
Girl Gone Rockin’ has a two year-old filly by Pierro and after missing in 2023 was covered by Churchill (IRE) last spring.
Vinrock is one of only two Group I winning juvenile colts by Yarraman Park’s champion sire I Am Invincible and has obviously come back in the manner to suggest he can well build on that G1 record as this season unfolds.
