Voodoo Lad first rose to prominence when winning the Inglis Scone Challenge in
May of 2014 as a two year-old and now at age seven is still in top form for the
powerful Darren Weir stable.Twice second in Group I sprints earlier in his career, Voodoo Lad is a classy commodity when things go his way and under a cool ride from Damien Oliver he produced a sensational turn of foot to charge past the leader Home of the Brave to win the 1200 metre sprint by half a length.
"It was a great win," Oliver said.
"Darren's main focus with me was to just switch him off early and get him relaxed. He said if you get him relaxed in the first 400 metres you know you're going to be in the race.
"They didn't go quickly but he switched off nicely and then moved into it well.
"When I went to the second horse, he dug in and challenged us a bit but then this horse drew away.
"He's got an exceptional last 400 metres on him when he switches off and relaxes early."
Purchased for just $36,000 by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds from the Yarraman Park draft at the Inglis Scone Yearling Sale, Voodoo Lad has the overall record of 12 wins and 10 placings from 29 starts with prizemoney of $1.3 million.
"He's probably been a bit unlucky that he hasn't won a Group One," Darren Weir said.
"He was a bit unlucky in the Rupert Clarke Stakes (in 2016)."But he still might get his chance yet."
Voodoo Lad is the last foal and third winner for placed Gilded Time (USA) mare O'Fortuna, who died in 2012 and whose dam is a sister to champion sprinter Schillaci.
Voodoo Lad is the first stakes-winner of the new season for Yarraman Park's I Am Invincible, who is fully booked this spring at a fee of $192,500.
