Is It Me capped a stellar preparation with a commanding victory in the 1400m Group 3 Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap at Flemington on March 8th.
The victory was a career best, careering away to an extending 3.75 length margin at the post.
A special ride by Billy Egan alleviated the potential of ‘bad luck’, something that has proven to be an issue with inside barrier draws in the past.
Speaking to Racing.com post-race, Daniel lauded the ride by Egan. “It’s been a blessing to link up with Billy, he has really worked him out.”
Egan’s plans pre-race centred around going back and letting the race unfold off what looked to be a slow pace on paper.
With horses making moves out wide, it worked a treat and after weaving through the field close to the fence, “he flogged them” in the words of his proud trainer.
Explaining the horse’s journey to Racing.com, Daniel explained patience has been the key.
“He has just been a work in progress, very immature mentally and has just taken a long time to learn his craft.”
His 1400m form at the track is exceptional with three wins and two unlucky close-up seconds from five starts.
The only other time he raced at headquarters was down the straight when again narrowly beaten over 1200m.
Daniel was effusive in his praise for his team post-race, especially wife Denita.
“I know my stable and family wouldn’t run without mine, the work behind the scenes and never any accolades; I have to thank her.”
With the 5YO son of Iffraaj’s love for Flemington, plans going forward are likely to be centred around a Spring campaign at our premier track before tackling a race that the stable have enjoyed success in previously.
“He loves it here, he has been in for a long time and there is not a lot around, I will see how he pulls up, but I think we will give him a break.”
“There are plenty of 1400m options in the Spring, and then maybe the Rupert Clarke at the back end would be nice.”
The stables only Group One winner was in the Sir Rupert Clarke in 2019, when stable favourite Begood Toya Mother charged to victory.
A $40,000 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale purchase in 2021, this win took Is It Me’s career statistics to seven wins and eight placings from 21 starts for more than $530,000 in prizemoney.
Congratulations to his owners.
The victory was a career best, careering away to an extending 3.75 length margin at the post.
A special ride by Billy Egan alleviated the potential of ‘bad luck’, something that has proven to be an issue with inside barrier draws in the past.
Speaking to Racing.com post-race, Daniel lauded the ride by Egan. “It’s been a blessing to link up with Billy, he has really worked him out.”
Egan’s plans pre-race centred around going back and letting the race unfold off what looked to be a slow pace on paper.
With horses making moves out wide, it worked a treat and after weaving through the field close to the fence, “he flogged them” in the words of his proud trainer.
Explaining the horse’s journey to Racing.com, Daniel explained patience has been the key.
“He has just been a work in progress, very immature mentally and has just taken a long time to learn his craft.”
His 1400m form at the track is exceptional with three wins and two unlucky close-up seconds from five starts.
The only other time he raced at headquarters was down the straight when again narrowly beaten over 1200m.
Daniel was effusive in his praise for his team post-race, especially wife Denita.
“I know my stable and family wouldn’t run without mine, the work behind the scenes and never any accolades; I have to thank her.”
With the 5YO son of Iffraaj’s love for Flemington, plans going forward are likely to be centred around a Spring campaign at our premier track before tackling a race that the stable have enjoyed success in previously.
“He loves it here, he has been in for a long time and there is not a lot around, I will see how he pulls up, but I think we will give him a break.”
“There are plenty of 1400m options in the Spring, and then maybe the Rupert Clarke at the back end would be nice.”
The stables only Group One winner was in the Sir Rupert Clarke in 2019, when stable favourite Begood Toya Mother charged to victory.
A $40,000 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale purchase in 2021, this win took Is It Me’s career statistics to seven wins and eight placings from 21 starts for more than $530,000 in prizemoney.
Congratulations to his owners.
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