I Am A Star has produced a perfectly-timed sprint to take out the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) from a fast-finishing Leotie at Caulfield Racecourse this afternoon.
I Am A Star claimed an impressive win in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield this afternoon. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Jumping from the gates well, jockey Steven King elected to take a position off the pace of early leaders Athena Lass, Modern Wonder and She’s Positive, who all flew the gates and set a reasonable pace from the outset.
Rounding onto the final straight wide and with plenty to do, the I Am Invincible filly mustered a huge turn of foot with 200m to run; pulling alongside the race leaders and clear before hitting the line a head in the green of Leotie; Athena Lass boxing on for third.
King delivered a smart ride on I Am A Star in the Quezette Stakes and believes the filly is a serious three-year-old contender for major targets this spring.
“She’s a really nice filly this,” King said.
“Even as a two-year-old she was very sensible and she’s come back in really good.
“It was a really good win today because I was probably three or four lengths further back than where I wanted to be but she’s got a great will to win and is really mature in her head.
“We came into this race today and drew and awkward barrier, and I really think that was the only question mark.
“We didn’t do a lot with her in the trials so we knew there was a lot of upside with her.
“We got back, gave her a chance and she hit the line strong.
“When you get fillies like this, that take you a long way.”
Trainer Shane Nichols was thrilled with I Am A Star’s performance for success in the Quezette Stakes and revealed she will progress to the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m) in three weeks before a likely run in the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m).
“She’s certainly a winner,” Nichols said after the race.
“I thought halfway down the straight she was going to run a nice race, but gee she found the line.
“I said to Steve that if he could balance up and hit the line, some of these might be a little soft late.
“If I’d have drawn 5 I probably would have been toey and nervous and thinking about what could possibly be. When we drew 16 it took all the pressure off – I thought we can ride her conservatively.
“I’ve always said we’ll get to the 1400m lead-up to the Thousand Guineas and we’ll take it from there.
“Steve is fairly adamant she’ll run a mile, but let’s not get ahead of herselves. She’s going well, so who knows, we might get to loftier ambitions.”
Punters who backed I Am A Star to win the 2016 Quezette Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au have been paid out on $7 odds!
2016 Quezette Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | I AM A STAR (NZ) | Shane Nichols | Steven King | – | 13 | 56.5kg | $6.50 |
| 2 | 15 | LEOTIE | Henry Dwyer | Chris Parnham | 0.2L | 11 | 55kg | $11 |
| 3 | 14 | ATHENA LASS | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Cory Parish | 0.3L | 2 | 55kg | $10 |
| 4 | 9 | NAJMAAT | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Mark Zahra | 1.55L | 7 | 55kg | $20 |
| 5 | 2 | SWORD OF LIGHT | Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra | Damian Lane | 2.05L | 1 | 57.5kg | $8 |
| 6 | 6 | SELENIA | Robbie Griffiths | Jye McNeil (a) | 2.15L | 8 | 56.5kg | $17 |
| 7 | 3 | SHE’S POSITIVE | Tony Noonan | Steven Arnold | 2.65L | 6 | 56.5kg | $51 |
| 8 | 11 | MERRIEST | Danny O’Brien | Damien Oliver | 3.05L | 10 | 55kg | $12 |
| 9 | 5 | HOT DIPPED | Brendan Mcshane | Dwayne Dunn | 4.3L | 9 | 56.5kg | $11 |
| 10 | 13 | CONSCIOUS | Leon & Troy Corstens | Stephen Baster | 5.3L | 5 | 55kg | $8.50 |
| 11 | 16 | MISS SALINGER | Peter Morgan & Craig Widdison | Ms Linda Meech | 6.05L | 3 | 55kg | $31 |
| 12 | 1 | CONCEALER | Tony McEvoy | Craig Williams | 6.8L | 12 | 57.5kg | $9.50 |
| 13 | 7 | MODERN WONDER | Leon & Troy Corstens | Daniel Moor | 11.05L | 4 | 56.5kg | $5.50F |
