Blake Shinn lands ride on quality colt in G1 sprint

I Am Unstoppable will have a new rider in next week’s Coolmore Stud Stakes with Blake Shinn to partner the colt in the $2 million Group 1.

The reigning Scobie Breasley medallist replaces Zac Spain, who has ridden the Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans-trained son of I Am Invincible in each of his five starts.

I Am Unstoppable won the two of those he had as a juvenile, including the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes (1200m), but has filled a minor placings in the Group 3 Vain Stakes, Listed Poseidon Stakes and Group 2 Danehill Stakes – all at 1100m – as a three-year-old.

The Coolmore Stud Stakes will be I Am Unstoppable’s first start at 1200m since the Redoute’s Choice Stakes and Shinn has been impressed with what he has seen from him in the lead-up to his Grand Final.

“He’s been targeted at the race, he’s got very good form and he’s a just a good horse,” Shinn said.

“You’ve got four or five horses that have put their hand up to say they can win the race and I think I Am Unstoppable is one of them.”

Shinn has a good handle on I Am Unstoppable’s spring form, having ridden Cylinder when he narrowly held I Am Unstoppable in the Vain Stakes and King’s Gambit when he was beaten home by I Am Unstoppable in the Poseidon Stakes.

The $65,000 Magic Millions yearling will continue his Coolmore preparations at Flemington on Friday morning, when he will take part in one of the 800m course proper jumpouts for Coolmore Stud Stakes contenders.

One-time Coolmore favourite with bookmakers Ozzmosis is in the same jumpout as I Am Unstoppable, which will follow a talent-laden hitout including Shinzo, King’s Gambit, Veight, Tiz Invincible, Moravia and Barber.

Several of those engaged will be having their first look at the straight on Friday morning and Shinn said I Am Unstoppable’s experience on that strip of turf could be an advantage next weekend.

“He’s had the tries there and that’s important,” he said.

“You’ve got horses like King’s Gambit, who just did things wrong (in the Poseidon Stakes), but with that run he might now do things right.

“He’s pretty foolproof I Am Unstoppable and to win this style of race you’ve got to be doing everything 110 percent and I think he will.”