Trainer Shane Nichols is yet to settle on a major campaign target for I Am A Star, but has confirmed that the talented three-year-old will be given several opportunities to add to her Group 1 tally during the 2017 Autumn Carnival.
I Am A Star will be set for several Group 1 targets during the 2017 Autumn Carnival. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
I Am A Star announced herself to the Australian racing community via an impressive debut preparation last autumn, which peaked with a three length win in the Group 3 National Stakes (1200m) in South Australia.
Undoubtedly reaching new heights in spring however, the daughter of I Am Invincible produced a number of strong performances and results in black type company before she because the first three-year-old to win the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m).
Nichols told Racing Victoria that he has earmarked a race in open company as a likely first point-of-call for his stable star this season, before likely progression through three-year-old races towards the Australian Guineas 2017 on March 4th.
“There are any number of races she could aim up at this autumn but she’ll more than likely start off in the Rubiton Stakes at Caulfield on February 11 after she has a trial,” Nichols said.
“With a rating of 105, she really has to begin her campaign in open class but then she can then go to those fillies’ races like the Armanasco and we might end up in the Australian Guineas before we get to Sydney for races like the Coolmore (Classic) and Queen Of The Turf.
“Then, I think we’ve got a month from the Queen Of The Turf to the Sangster in Adelaide so there’s plenty to think about.”
Nichols has been thrilled with the benefit taken by I Am A Star during her time in the paddock and is confident that she will return a far-more furnished race horse.
“Compared to what she looked like at the start of the spring, she looks a million times better now,” Nichols said.
“Her coat’s better, she’s carrying a lot more muscle and a lot more bulk now. She still had a bit of a winter coat throughout the spring and she wasn’t over heavy.
“I’m not sure whether she’s improved or not – we haven’t got to the stage yet – but it is a possibility.”
I Am A Star resumed last spring for a smart win in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m), before finishing fifth and fourth in the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m) and Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) respectively.
Running on for second in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m), the filly out of Star Band placed third in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Fillies’ Classic (1600m) on October 22nd, in what was her only other start prior to the Myer Classic.
