I Am Me wins the Group Two The Shorts
It was a case of “copy and paste” for star jockey James Mcdonald as he guided I Am Me to victory in the Group Two The Shorts, replicating the formula used successfully by rival hoop Nash Rawiller aboard the mare first-up.
I Am Me stalked the speed before capturing the Concorde Stakes (1000m) two weeks ago and McDonald was content to adopt similar tactics for Saturday’s 1100m feature.
The result was the same, the Ciaron Maher-trained I Am Me ($2.60 fav) pulling out all stops to deny the late finish of Stefi Magnetica ($9) by a long neck with Mazu ($13) a half-length away third.
“That’s what James said before the race, just copy and paste, and that’s exactly what he did,” Maher’s Sydney foreman Johann Gerard-Dubord said.
“To do it first-up, obviously is one thing, but to repeat it two weeks later like that is a good effort.
“Especially after a hard run like that, two weeks back-up, there’s always a bit of a question mark, but she’s come back better.”
Having claimed the scalp of stablemate and confirmed Everest contender Bella Nipotina on resumption, I Am Me confirmed it was no flash in the pan with Saturday’s Randwick performance.
Gerard-Dubord hopes it is enough to prompt the remaining slot holders to come calling.
“She has beaten (many of) the same ones twice now, 1200 will only suit her,” he said.
“She is full of confidence now and those mares in form, it’s hard to stop them.”
McDonald said I Am Me always had the race in her keeping despite the narrow margin at the end.
“She always felt in control of the race and even a furlong from home, I felt like I was always going to win, even though they were so close,” McDonald said.
“She’s just doing enough, enough, enough.
“She’s won the first two lead-ups to the great race (Everest), so she’s ticking a lot of boxes.”
McDonald rode the last four winners on Saturday’s program, kicking off his quartet with a Tea Rose Stakes victory aboard Autumn Glow before adding the 7 Stakes (1600m) on Fangirl, The Shorts (1100m) on I Am Me and rounding it out on Moravia in The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1200m) to cap his afternoon.
More Racing News
Lindermann triumphs in rescheduled Chelmsford Stakes
Lindermann has rediscovered his top form, though Fangirl may have concluded her racing career after the delayed Group 2 $300,000 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) was contested at Royal Randwick today.A severe storm, complete with heavy rain and powerful winds, swept across Randwick shortly after the running of the preceding Concorde Stakes,...
My Gladiola breaks through for Moir Stakes success
My Gladiola has finally achieved Group 1 glory, taking out the Moir Stakes at Sandown in an emotional victory.The traditional venue for the 1000m Group 1 sprint, Moonee Valley, is currently undergoing reconstruction, leading to the race's relocation to Sandown this year.The 1000-metre dash, run under weight-for-age conditions, was a...
Tempted's brilliant return secures Concorde Stakes victory
Ciaron Maher is unsure if Tempted possesses the ability to challenge the Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising in the $20 million Everest, but he is satisfied that the mare could not be in better form following her dazzling reappearance in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick.Against a formidable lineup of...
Headley Grange's determination secures Tramway Stakes victory
Trainer Joe Pride detailed the efforts of his three contenders in the prestigious Group 2 $300,000 Tramway Stakes (1400m) held at Royal Randwick on Saturday.The Tramway Stakes delivered a nail-biting finish, where Headley Grange ultimately triumphed, while his stablemate Attica surged home for third, and Private Eye could only advance...
Bangkok Hottie's Furious Stakes triumph signals bright future
David Payne appears to have another talented galloper in his stable with Randwick winner Bangkok Hottie.Despite training a small team of sixteen horses, David Payne might have discovered his next major contender in Bangkok Hottie. This filly has outperformed a quality field of her peers to claim the Furious Stakes...
Blind Raise claims McKenzie Stakes first-up
Co-trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young were anxious about the track conditions on Saturday morning.A further downpour could have jeopardised Blind Raise's start in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1300m), with a potential diversion to the Listed Michael Moroney (1400m) at Flemington the following Saturday.Despite Sandown receiving 7.2mm of rain overnight,...
Ninja First to Confirm Everest Berth
Michael Freedman, trainer of the exciting young sprinter Ninja, has confirmed the horse as the initial entrant for the upcoming $20 million TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick.A deal has been struck with slot-holder John Camilleri's Fairway Thoroughbreds, ensuring Ninja's participation in the world's richest turf race on October 17.Ninja,...
Jamie Melham reflects on past and present after Sandown win
Jockey Jamie Melham mentioned feeling her age after partnering the Adelaide-based galloper Pretty Baby to victory in a Stakes race at Sandown.While Melham's career has since soared to greater heights, she fondly remembers guiding Louisiana to a win at Strathalbyn in 2016.Louisiana, the dam of Pretty Baby, delivered an impressive...
Decorum's Group 1 aspirations after Randwick triumph
Following an impressive return to racing at Royal Randwick on Saturday, trainer Michael Freedman has indicated that the Epsom Handicap and the Golden Eagle are potential spring carnival targets for the promising horse, Decorum.While these might seem like ambitious Group 1 aims for a four-year-old still competing in restricted grade,...
So You Are breaks through for stakes success
After finishing second on two occasions to The Budgiesmugla during the winter months, the capable stayer So You Are finally celebrated a victory in the Drinkwise Cup at Randwick.So You Are ($3) raced prominently throughout the Listed event and was left to lead before the final turn, maintaining a strong...