More Group One Goals for I Am a Star

Media Release - Wednesday October 17
Winner of the Group I VRC Myer Classic as a three year-old, top class I Am Invincible mare I Am a Star has been in sizzling form this spring racking up her third straight stakes victory at Caulfield on Wednesday when taking out the Group III MRC Ladies Day Vase.

I Am a Star - image Grant CourtneyThe Shane Nichols trained mare is flying at present and led all the way after jumping from the outside gate to win the 1600 metre contest by half a length.

Her trainer revealed she would now head to the Group I VRC Myer Classic at Flemington on Derby Day, but could also back-up against the boys in the Group I VRC Emirates Stakes (2000m) seven days later.

"I'd like to (run her in the Emirates) but I don't know whether I'd be given the tick of approval," Nichols said.

"If all of a sudden, Winx has her Cox Plate and wanders off to the paddock, it would be silly not to.

"She's two-and-a-half weeks into the Myer now but she won the Myer off seven days, so why not (have a go)."

I Am a Star was a $40,000 Inglis Classic purchase for James Harron Bloodstock from the Broadwater Farm Thoroughbreds draft and has 10 of 26 starts and over $1.5 million in prizemoney for owner Matthew Sandblom of Kingstar Farm and Newgate Farm.

I Am a Star was actually bred in New Zealand by Eales Racing and was sold at the NZB Weanling Sale for $12,000 out of the Rich Hill Stud draft before being sent to Australia for re-sale.

A full sister to stakes-placed Band on the Run, I Am a Star is the third winner for Star Band (USA), a half-sister by Dixieland Band to Group III winner Common World from the family of Australian Group I winner Pear Tart.

Star Band is now at stud in New Zealand and was covered last spring by Iffraaj (GB).

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