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| Staff Writer |
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I Am Me has unleashed a devastating late burst to claim the US$1 million Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, stamping herself as a possible contender for The Everest (1200m) later in the spring.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare, returning from a 119-day spell, continued her impressive first-up record. The daughter of I Am Invincible now boasts three wins and two minor placings from six fresh starts, further enhancing her formidable resume.
Nash Rawiller, aboard I Am Me, secured a prime position behind the leader from barrier two. Way To The Stars set the pace up front, with the James Cummings-trained Red Card pressing forward under Adam Hyeronimus.
Giga Kick struggled throughout the journey, with James McDonald unable to find cover at any stage, leaving the gelding exposed on the three-wide line.
As the field turned for home, Private Eye produced his customary late surge, but it was the ever-consistent Bella Nipotina who looked poised for victory, surging to the front with 200m left to travel.
However, Rawiller's tactical brilliance came to the fore as he held the rail until the last possible moment. I Am Me responded gamely to her rider's urgings, clinging on to victory as the pair cleared out significantly from their rivals.
The Concorde Stakes has a rich history of producing top-class sprinters. Previous winners include Redzel, who went on to claim back-to-back victories in The Everest, and Nature Strip, who later triumphed in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Johann Gerrard-Dubord, representing the Ciaron Maher stable, was on course and expressed his delight with the mare's return:
"She has come a long way, but she's improved every prep," said Gerrard-Dubord. "Obviously last prep in those group ones you always find one too good, but she's come back very well."
Gerrard-Dubord highlighted the benefits of I Am Me's preparation, saying: "She's been spending some time at Bong Bong, we have some very good tracks there, it's very relaxed and it's probably just what she needed. The team there have done a very good job with her and she loves these conditions, fast tracks."
The representative also outlined future plans for the mare: "Obviously they have had a lot of fun with this horse and it's been a plan to target the sprint series with her and this was the race we had in mind from the get-go and everything worked out well."
Rawiller, clearly elated with the performance, praised I Am Me's fighting spirit:
"She was amazing, wasn't she," said Rawiller. "I was surprised, because I really dove through that gap, came off Way To The Stars back, and as soon as I produced her, I thought, I'm in trouble, because, you know, obviously, Bella Nipotina was coming; it was pretty quick at that point."
The jockey added: "I thought she'd out-tough me, but I loved the character of my horse. She picked up and really just wasn't going to lay down."
With this impressive victory, I Am Me has thrust herself into the conversation for The Everest. The mare's connections will undoubtedly be fielding interest from slot holders looking to secure a in-form sprinter for the US$10 million feature.
As the spring carnival heats up, all eyes will be on I Am Me to see if she can continue her upward trajectory and challenge for Group One honours in the coming months.