A missed run in the Autumn and an extended spell has given trainer Shane Nichols extra confidence that his rising four year old mare I Am A Star will shine during the 2017 Melbourne Spring Carnival.

I Am A Star, above, is well into her 2017 Spring Carnival preparation. Photo by Jenny Barnes.

I Am A Star, above, is well into her 2017 Spring Carnival preparation. Photo by Jenny Barnes.

Nicholas is yet to map out a definite Spring Carnival program for I Am A Star but he is certain that the I Am Invincible filly will regain her best form that saw her win the Group 1 $500,000 Myer Classic (1600m) against the older mares at Flemington in last year’s Spring Carnival.

The Mornington trainer pulled up stumps during the Autumn after I Am A Star ran third to Secret Agenda in the Group 1 $1m Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 6 and Nichols sent her to the paddock in preference to running her in the Group 1 $1m Darley Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville fortnight later.

“I am so glad that we didn’t run her in The Goodwood as they gave her two extra weeks in the paddock and it meant she’s had an ideal time off,” Nichols told racing.com.

Nichols is very happy with the way that I Am Star has developed while she was in the spelling paddock and said she is working towards a barrier trial before resuming in either the Group 3 $150,000 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on August 12 or in the Listed $120,000 Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield a week later.

“It’s the best she’s ever looked after a spell,” Nichols said.

I Am A Star was in fine form at the beginning of her 2017 Autumn and added to her Myer Classic win in the Spring with a win Group 2 $200,000 Kewney Stakes (1400m) at Flemington followed by a win in the Group 2 $200,000 Sunline Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.

The classy filly’s only disappointing run during the Autumn was when she failed to handle the heavy track conditions when eighth to It’ Somewhat in the Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on day one of ‘The Championships’.

I Am A Star is the winner of six of her fifteen starts with prizemoney earnings just sneaking of the $1 million mark.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.