I Am might be
Promising three-year-old filly Iam returned to racing indicating she just might be, with an authoritative victory at Bendigo on Sunday, August 11.
Trained by Tony McEvoy, I Am started at $4.50 and came from midfield for jockey Luke Currie to score a length win in the Jayco Maiden (1000m) in heavy nine track conditions beating Lighthorse Lad ($8.50) with Nuclear Cheval ($4.60), a long head away third.
The $600,000 yearling purchase by McEvoy Mitchell Racing from the 2018 Easter Yearling Sale is raced by Qatar Bloodstock in partnership with the Joy Luck Syndicate.
Having her first start since February, I Am didn’t jump brilliantly but worked through to midfield between runners on settling down.
Currie had the filly three wide in the clear turning for home and she accelerated beautifully to win well.
Trainer Tony McEvoy said I Am had appreciated the drop back to maiden grade today.
“She really disappointed us first preparation,” McEvoy said.
“She worked like a star, she was beating all my fillies and colts that were winning and running well in group races.
“But she couldn’t transfer it and in her two runs was very disappointing, so we stopped and turned her out.
“We came back today, weren’t sure about the ground but being an I Am Invincible they are normally okay on it.
“She is a real talent going forward and it was just a relief to see her do it.
“I think will take out time with her and be a bit patient, we tried it in tougher company, and it didn’t work.
“She has that level of ability, but I think we’ll placed her down again and give her a bit of confidence, but she will end up getting black type, that’s for sure.”
Winning jockey Luke Currie said he had done a bit of work on Iam in both preparations.
“She trialled up really well before her first start but got a bit lost on raceday,” Currie said.
“She has been going well this time in without jumping out of the ground, but she was really good today.
“Wet ground is definitely an asset, but she also goes well on top of the ground. It is another strong to their bow if they can get through heavy ground.