Nichols excited over I Am A Star progress

Darryl Sherer - Tuesday July 25

Trainer Shane Nichols cannot wait to get his Group I-winning filly I Am A Star back to the races.

I Am A Star winning the Group I Myer Classic last year. Photo: Darryl Sherer

The rising four-year-old daughter of I Am Invincible is close to resuming and her trainer is delighted with the way she is progressing.

"She galloped nicely this morning and she's in good form," Nichols said. "All things being equal she will have a barrier trial at Cranbourne on August 7."

I Am A Star last raced on May 6 when finishing third to Secret Agenda in the Group I Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 6.

Nichols opted to miss the Group I Goodwood at Morphettville two weeks later with the future in mind.

"She'd had two interstate trips to Sydney for the Doncaster then to Adelaide for the Sangster," Nichols said.

"I wanted to make sure she would get a clear five weeks spell into the spring so we decided to pass on the Goodwood and I'm glad we did.

"As a three-year-old filly she was going to meet those older horses badly at the weights so to be honest with you I was glad she already in the paddock by the time the Goodwood was run."

Nichols said last year's Myer Classic winner has taken good benefit from her time in the spelling paddock.

"She looks enormous, probably the best she has - she looks that good I can't wait to get her racing again," Nichols said.

"As she's already a Group One winner we'll be aiming high with her in the spring. Certainly a race like the Memsie (Stakes) at Caulfield and the other weight-for-age races at a mile.

"Depending on how she is coping with those then we'll see if she can stretch out over a bit further."

Nichols is considering either the Group III Auries Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on August 12 or the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield the following week for I Am A Star to kick off her spring campaign.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Peachester Lodge Celebrate Stakes Success for Princess Rhaenys
In-form mare Princess Rhaenys scored a narrow victory in the Listed Tattersall's Gold Crown (2143m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday as the well-related daughter of Iffraaj scored a richly-deserved maiden stakes success.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 29
Here is the full list of 108 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
The Old Marvel Vow And Declare Wins his Second Tattersall's Cup
Five years ago, the 3-year-old Vow And Declare won the Group III Tattersall's Cup over 3000m at Eagle Farm on the way to winning the Melbourne Cup and finishing second to Mer De Glace (JPN) in the Caulfield Cup.
Kiwi Bred Golden Path Wins Listed McKell Cup
Victorian raider Golden Path has made it back-to-back victories in Sydney with a dominant victory in the Listed W J Mckell Cup (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Two From Two for Dan Vegas
Exciting local three-year-old Dan Vegas added a second victory to his unbeaten record with another dominant front-running performance in Saturday’s Truweld Engineering 3YO (1400m) at Ruakaka.
GI Tiara Caps Amazing Season for Bella Nipotina
Pride of Dubai has two absolutely outstanding mares running for him this season and while Pride of Jenni has been off on a well earned break preparing for the spring, Bella Nipotina has been blazing a path to further G1 glory over the Brisbane Winter Carnival adding the $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m) to her stellar CV at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Proisir Winner at Rosehill
Former Kiwi galloper Amberite continues to make a good impression since joining the stable of Mornington trainer Matt Laurie, with the son of Proisir trekking north to Sydney to land the Prague Yearlings Selling Now Handicap (1800m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Dundeel Filly Dazzles in Listed Oaklands Plate
The Listed SAJC Oaklands Plate (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday was won last year by Coco Sun, who went on to win the Group I SA Derby last month and this year’s winner Femminile also looks to be a quality filly to watch next season.
Zarastro Wins G3 Tatts Healy Stakes
A two time stakes-winner at the end of last year, the Tony Gollan trained I Am Invincible gelding Zarastro has been performing a little below par this preparation, but bounced back to his brilliant best to post a career highlight win in the $200,000 Group III Tatts WJ Healy Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
New SW Merchant Navy - Cottee Triumphs in Tattersall's Mile
The lightly raced Merchant Navy mare Cottee had been building up for a peak performance and was an emphatic winner of the Listed Tattersall's Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.