I Am Velvet to bounce back in The Vanity
There is no doubting the ability I Am Velvet possesses, and trainer Phillip Stokes is convinced the filly has overcome her wayward tendencies.
I Am Velvet is set to have her first start at Flemington when she runs in the Group 3 The Vanity (1400m) on Saturday which Stokes hopes will lead the filly to the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on November 16.
During her two-year-old campaign I Am Velvet was unbeaten in three starts but did show a tendency to hang in, a trait that eventually earned her a warning from stewards after victory over 1400m at Caulfield in July.
Stokes set to work about straightening the filly out, sending her Julien Welsh who is renowned for getting problem horses back on track.
Welsh worked on the barrier antics of Japanese galloper Prognosis ahead of last week’s Cox Plate before running second to Via Sistina.
While Stokes said Welsh had worked some of his magic on I Am Velvet, a course of dressage and a lugging bit have also done their job.
“She has straightened out her manners quite a bit,” Stokes said.
“She lays in, but is not hanging, so she’s quite controllable.
“We changed the bit and did some dressage work with her. We sent her to Julien Welsh’s and mixed things up a bit and she seems a lot more tractable.”
I Am Velvet has had one run back since Stokes sent the filly off for remedial work, finishing an unlucky fourth behind Kuroyanagi at Caulfield on October 12.
The filly looked a handful for Daniel Stackhouse, who has the ride again on Saturday, but I Am Velvet was, Stokes said, a victim of circumstances.
“Everyone thought she was hanging, but she wasn’t,” Stokes said.
“He was trying to get her over heels because there was not enough room to take a run on the fence.
“She came through the run well as she never really came off the bit and we know 1400 metres will not be a problem and the Flemington will suit, a nice big track.
“So, she’ll go to The Vanity and if everything’s OK after that, she’ll head to the Thousand Guineas.”
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Weather prompts Rosehill races transfer
Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting will now be held on Sunday after Racing NSW moved to avoid anticipated extreme heat across Sydney, with temperatures set to surge past 40 degrees. Racing NSW stewards had tracked forecasts closely all week and, with no relief in sight, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the rescheduling...
Air has second Assault on the 2025 Ballarat Cup
A mature and more composed Air Assault will attempt to push his prizemoney beyond $1 million when he lines up in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. Trainer Andrew Gluyas says the gelding has finally pieced it all together after years of racing keenly, noting the now nine-time winner has developed into a tractable,...