Another Stakes Win For I Am A Star (NZ) in Kewney Stakes

Karaka graduate I Am A Star (NZ) (I Am Invincible) landed the fourth black-type win of her 12-start career when she took out Saturday’s A$200,000 Group 2 TAB Kewney Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.

The filly, who cost just $12,000 at the 2014 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale, added the Kewney Stakes to previous victories in the A$120,000 Group 3 Quayclean National Stakes (1200m), the A$150,000 Group 3 Winslow Group Quezette Stakes (1100m) and the A$500,000 Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m). She has also finished second in the A$500,000 Group 1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m).

Ridden in Saturday’s Kewney by Dean Yendall, who was also aboard in the Myer, I Am A Star enjoyed a smooth trip in behind the leaders and moved up to make her bid in the straight. She looked vulnerable 200 metres from home, but pinned her ears back and lunged for the line to win by a half-head.

“Probably 500 metres from home I was pretty confident, but about the furlong she put in a funny stride and then got a bit unbalanced,” Yendall said. “I had to pick her up again but I tell you what, she was pretty tough.”

Trained by Shane Nichols for owner Matthew Sandblom, I Am A Star has now had 12 starts in total for five wins, three placings and prize-money of A$804,450.

I Am A Star was bred by Eales Racing Pty Ltd and was offered at the weanling sale by Rich Hill Stud. She was purchased by Llanhennock Trust.