I Am A Star creates history in the Group 1 Myer Classic
I Am A Star became the first three-year-old filly to win the Group 1 Myer Classic at Flemington and it also gave Dean Yendall his secong Group one this season.
Yendall didn’t show much emotion when winning aboard Yankee Rose in the Spring Champion Stakes, but the Victorian rider let his emotions show at Flemington on Saturday.
“It is the best,” Yendall said. “She just had the right run. Got her into a nice comfortable run, a bit of pressure from Zac (Purton), but I was just able to be in the right spot into the straight.
“She gave me a nice kick at the 400m and I thought with the weight on her back I hoped she’d be good enough to hang them off, which she was.
“I just love the way she settled, I must sound a bit stupid here, but she’ll make a nice little mare come next season, maybe in something like the Caulfield Cup.
“Huge thanks to Shane Nichols for the opportunity.”
I Am A Star gave Shane Nichols his first Group one winner and the trainer from Mornington was letting it all soak in after his filly scored its biggest career win.
“I’m trying to take it all in,” Nichols said. “I felt she came off the bridle at the top of the straight, but he had to give her a stir up to get it back in the flow, but with 49kg it was always going to be a struggle late to catch her.”
Nichols had always dreamed of winning his first Group one and for that to come during the spring carnival was very special.
“Very excited and extremely pleased about being able to win my first Group one here during the carnival on Derby Day. It’s just something I thought would happen one day, but it’s just a great moment.”
I Am A Star closed at $7.70 at CrownBet.com.au with French Emotion ($9.20) and Denmagic ($13.40) rounding out the placings at big odds.
Race-favourite Don’t Doubt Mamma never looked likely during the run and finished well down the track.