Putting the writing on the wall last time out when a narrow second in the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m), the Philip Stokes trained Athanatos appreciated the step up in trip, winning the Group 3 SAJC Chairman’s Stakes (2000m) to become the first stakes winner for Swettenham Stud's I Am Immortal.
While often considered as the ideal lead up run to the Group 1 SJC South Australian Derby, trainer Stokes confirmed post-raced that the 3yo gelding would be heading to the paddock rather than continuing his campaign.
With VRC Derby winner Goldrush Guru (American Pharoah) ensuing a solid tempo from the jump, jockey Daniel Stackhouse settled Athanatos three back on the fence where he relaxed beautifully. As the leader started to weaken, Stackhouse came off the rail and to the outside of Goldrush Guru were he sprinted to the lead to put the race within his keeping.
Godolphin’s well-bred Lavalier with Jamie Melham in the saddle worked home down the outside into second, suggesting that the South Australian Derby on May 3 is well within his reach.
Stokes was clear in his thinking about Athanatos going to the paddock, even suggesting the type of campaign he would have when he resumed.
“He definitely won’t be going to the Derby – he’ll be on our truck on the way home, and we’ll look forward to the spring,” Stakes said.
“He won’t run 2500m. I think when he comes back next prep, you’ll find he’ll be a nice miler.”
In the top three on 13 occasions from 14 starts, Stackhouse has ridden him in the majority of his starts.
“Stacky gave him a lovely ride, he knows the horse well," Price said.
"The team has done a really good job with him here in the last two weeks.
“They’ve poured the work into him, trying to get him to drop his head and relax, which he did today.
“Very happy for Darren Dance and his connections – he’s been a frustrating horse, he’s sort of got that bridesmaid tag, but he’s working it all out."
A winner of the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (C & G) followed by the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (C & G) at 2, the Swettenham Stud based I Am Immortal is the sire of 15 individual winners highlighted by two stakes performers.
The first stakes winner for his O’Reilly dam Mumbeilly, who has a unnamed two-year-old filly by King’s Legacy, the final foal of the now retired mare is a yearling filly by Newgate Farm’s Tiger Of Malay named Kejayaan.
