A stronger I Am Unstoppable ready to take on Imperatriz in Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington
A terrific Cranbourne trial is part of the reason trainers Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans have upgraded their hopes of winning Saturday’s $1m Lightning Stakes at Flemington.
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I Am Unstoppable’s progress has forced trainers Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans to revise their assessment of his chances in Saturday’s Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington.
The pair initially considered the Lightning Stakes to be the perfect lead-up race to I Am Unstoppable’s main autumn goal, next month’s Newmarket Handicap, but the three-year-old made the pair adjust their sights.
The valuable colt, which was the subject of a high-priced deal involving Widden Stud, showed he was in perfect shape to return to the races with a strong trial at Cranbourne last Monday.
That effort convinced the camp the son of I Am Invincible could threaten the unbeaten run of Kiwi star Imperatriz in the Lightning Stakes.
• Imperatriz trainer upbeat about star mare: ‘Look at Mr Brightside’
“Ideally we thought that was his race at the start of his prep and the Lightning would be a bit of a kick-off point,” Yeomans said.
“We thought he would be better suited to 12(00m) but he’s been very sharp.
“His trials have been very good and now it’s looking like in the Lightning he will be a red-hot chance.”
I Am Unstoppable went winless in four spring outings, including his last three starts down the Flemington straight, in a sometimes unlucky campaign.
Yeomans said the colt has markedly improved since his last-start second to Ozzmosis in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes last November.
“He’s really furnished,” Yeomans said.
“He’s gone from a boy to a man and just looks more athletic and his coat is the best he’s ever been.
“Temperament wise, he’s the same – he’s always been very straightforward – but physically, he’s gotten much fitter much easier.
“Last prep it took a couple of runs to get him match fit but he came in, had one trial and was ready to go.”
• Dee switching from friend to foe in Lightning Stakes
Winning the Lightning Stakes or Newmarket Handicap would make I Am Unstoppable a prime candidate to head to England for the famous Royal Ascot carnival in June.
The Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes or the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes are often targets for Australian connections looking to compete overseas.
Yeomans said I Am Unstoppable’s ownership group, which now includes several breeding operations, would discuss an international campaign in time.
“The future for him, we’re not sure about,” Yeomans said.
“They (the owners) have guaranteed that we can race him until July and we’ll have a discussion after that.
“Lloyd and I always had a pipe dream of taking him to Ascot, even before he was performing the way he was.
“If he wins the Lightning or wins the Newmarket, we’ll have a discussion about it but we haven’t decided.”
TAB rated I Am Unstoppable as the $5 equal second favourite in Lightning Stakes betting behind Imperatriz at $1.80.
Originally published as A stronger I Am Unstoppable ready to take on Imperatriz in Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington
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