I Am A Star puts pay to rivals in Group 2 Sunline Stakes
IT was shades of Sunline in the 2000 Cox Plate for talented filly I Am A Star after it cruised around the Moonee Valley track to win the Group 2 Sunline Stakes on Friday night.
The Group 1 Myer Classic winner added another big race to its ever-growing resume after it dictated a talented group of mares in the $200,000 co-feature around Moonee Valley.
Jockey Dean Yendall was positive out of the barriers and soon led with the three-year-old. Its rivals put no pressure on the $2.10 favourite at Sportsbet.com.au and Yendall kicked away on the turn to put the race to bed.
“I had to do a little bit of work, but she came back underneath me no problem,” Yendall said.
“I asked her to quicken at 600m out without sort of going, we cantered around, I had a nice look around and didn’t realise how far in front I was.
“There was no stopping us tonight.”
Yendall has now unbeaten on the filly in three starts and he was pleased to be on board again.
“(It’s a) huge thrill to win on her again. I was pretty excited,” he added.
We spoke to trainer Shane Nichols earlier this month and the Sunline Stakes was the plan all along for the filly which improved its record to six wins from 13 starts.
Leading wasn’t the first plan of attack for Nichols, but the filly showed just how adaptable and professional it is on the big stage.
“I think we had to put her into the race, obviously we would have preferred to sit outside than leader than lead, but she crossed fairly comfortably and then dictated the race,” Nichols said.
“He (Yendall) just let her roll early and she put a distinctive margin on a good group of mares, so outstanding performance by a very, very, very good filly.”
Nichols is happy to have a filly which avoids the common issues that surrounds other talented fillies.
“We’ve always had a big opinion of her. You watch the fillies she’s been racing against that have issues, have to go to the paddock or lose form, but not her, she stands up every time she runs and that’s a supreme effort,” Nichols said.
“Not just from her, but the staff around her as well, she’s just a good filly.”
I Am A Star could head to the Doncaster Handicap during The Championships, but Nichols will be wanting the sun to shine in Sydney before ultimately deciding.
“All I want it to do is to stop raining in Sydney,” Nichols said. “We’ll go if it’s slow, maybe in the Doncaster after that win.
“We’ll certainly give consideration to the Coolmore Legacy – we just want it to be no worse than soft, we don’t want it heavy.”
There’s plenty in store for the champion filly which could well make an appearance at Moonee Valley later this year in the Cox Plate.
“We might be here in half a year,” Nichols added.