I Am Velvet Remains Perfect

Mark Smith - Saturday July 27

The 2-year-old I Am Immortal filly I Am Velvet kept her record at a perfect three for three in Saturday’s $1750,000 Vobis Gold Ingot (1400m) at Caulfield, and if she learns to go straight, a stakes-winner in waiting.

I Am Velvet looks to be enjoying herself more than her jockey (image Grant Courtney)

Once again, I Am Velvet gave Daniel Stackhouse a horror ride as she came down the straight on one rein to defeat the favourite Dom (Pierro) by one and a half lengths, with Cavity Bay (Cable Bay) back in third.  

Trainer Phillip Stokes added a bubble cheeker on the near side following similar antics when bolting in by three lengths on the Pakenham Synthetic last start and her debut win at Pakenham.

“It was a good ride by Stacky because we didn’t think there was going to be a lot of speed, and I was pleased when he pushed to get outside the favourite,” Stokes said.

“The hanging in is a problem. I thought the bubble cheeker would rectify that, but we will keep working on it.

“She ran the 1400m out strong, so that’s a tick. She is an exciting filly; we will try to iron out those kinks.   

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“I think she is a stakes filly in the making.

Lots to look forward to (image Grant Courtney)

 Bred by Esker Lodge Australia and partners and sporting the fluorescent yellow silks of Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, I Am Velvet carries the same colours of her talented half-brother Tobaysure (Cable Bay), and her dam, Black Velveteen (Domesday), a Sandown winner in a 4-start career for Michael Kent.

From the family of Rosemont Stud’s Strasbourg, Black Velveteen has not had a foal since I Am Velvet and was covered by Shalaa (IRE) last spring.

I Am Velovet is one of three winners from the first crop of Swettenham Stud’s Blue Diamond Prelude winner I Am Immortal (I Am Invincible).

The brother to the Listed winner, Godfather, stands for $13,750 in 2024.

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Race Result - VOBIS Gold Ingot 1400m

Caulfield Track: Good(4) Time: 1:24.93
1
I Am Velvet
- 2f I Am Immortal (AUS) x Black Velveteen (AUS) (Domesday (AUS))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: D W Stackhouse 55
2
1.5
Dom
- 2g Pierro (AUS) x Vivi Valentina (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: B Shinn 57
3
2
Cavity Bay
- 2f Cable Bay (IRE) x Nooks And Crannies (AUS) (Denman (AUS))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: M J Dee 56
4
2.8
Sammaan City
- 2g Shamus Award (AUS) x Vivacity (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Damian Lane 57
5
4.5
Steadfast
- 2f Grunt (NZ) x Tubbs Gift (AUS) (Artie Schiller (USA))
Tnr: Ms C Alderson Rdr: J Bowditch 55
6
8
Kalimna Views
- 2f Delago Deluxe (AUS) x Sistine Spirit (AUS) (Big Brown (USA))
Tnr: John McArdle Rdr: J Mott 55
7
13.5
Juviance
- 2f Exceedance (AUS) x Just Our Girl (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Gavin Bedggood Rdr: Declan Bates 55
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