Top trainer Ciaron Maher to run I Am Me in Saturday’s Group 1 Goodwood at Morphettville

The Goodwood barrier draw could not have gone any better for Ciaron Maher’s sole representative in Saturday’s Group 1 feature at Morphettville.

At least one wish has come true for the Ciaron Maher camp for Saturday’s Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville.

I Am Me will be the premier Victorian stable’s sole runner in The Goodwood, which Maher and former training partner David Eustace won last year with Royal Merchant.

I Am Me drew well when a close fourth in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes on the same course on April 27.

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Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said I Am Me was a versatile sprinter but she needed a favourable draw to show her best in The Goodwood.

“You wouldn’t want to be drawing wide but if you can draw maybe one to 10, you can make up your mind where you want to be,” Turnbull said.

“She has got pace and can go forward but doesn’t need to like most of the good ones.

“If we’re drawn off the track, it wouldn’t be ideal but anything from 10 to one, we’d be laughing.”

Ciaron Maher speedster I Am Me has drawn perfectly for Saturday’s $1m Goodwood in Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images

Tuesday’s Goodwood barrier draw favoured I Am Me, who drew barrier one while favourite Amelia’s Jewel drew barrier nine for the $1m sprint.

Sangster Stakes winner Climbing Star drew barrier 13 with runner-up Learning To Fly on her outside.

Jamie Kah’s mount Benedetta will jump from barrier three.

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Turnbull noted I Am Me was one of the few on-pacers to withstand the late charges of Climbing Star and Learning To Fly in the Robert Sangster Stakes.

“She’s going really well,” Turnbull said.

“Clearly they went pretty quick in the Sangster and the winner and the second horse came from back in the field.

“She chased a hot speed and they probably just got her late so we’re very happy with where she’s at.”

Congratulations to Lachlan Neindorf on his first Group 1 victory in the Robert Sangster Stakes 👏

📼 courtesy https://t.co/I3i12HGtPUpic.twitter.com/gmfXkIZwq3

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) April 27, 2024

I Am Me finished third behind Imperatriz and Johnny Rocker in the William Reid at The Valley in March before her Sangster effort.

The five-year-old won the $2 million Sydney Stakes in the spring before notching Group 1 placings in the Manikato Stakes and Rupert Clarke Stakes last year.

Turnbull said I Am Me’s consistent form at Group 1 level was the result of the daughter of I Am Invincible maturing fully in her five-year-old season.

“Physically, she’s taken a while to get to that stage and that has allowed her to be in this grade of race consistently,” Turnbull said.

“She’s always taken a bit of management where we’ve just had to push and then pull up.

“But now she’s the finished article, which she should be and with that, we find her racing in these top races.”

Jockey Blake Shinn will stick with I Am Me in The Goodwood.

Originally published as Top trainer Ciaron Maher to run I Am Me in Saturday’s Group 1 Goodwood at Morphettville