Dynamic Mare I AM ME Scores Stakes Success in Sensational TRACK RECORD Time

02 Jan 23

Sydney’s latest "Pin-Up Horse" is Summer Sprint Sensation I AM ME "burnt the turf" on New Year’s Day to obliterate the clock when recording another brilliant win, this time it was a New Track Record.

I AM ME Won the feature event of the day; the $160,000 Canterbury Sprint LISTED RACE (1200m) at Canterbury Park.

I Am Me – She’s a Stakes-Winner and Course Record Holder!

I AM ME had a productive 2022, winning 6 of 8 races, from a Canberra maiden in March through to a Benchmark 88 event in December. She upped the ante on New Year’s Day to claim her first Black Type victory.

The Dynamic Syndications 'silks bearer' has been a slower maturing type of horse.

With excellent management and patient loyal Owners, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable allowed her to find her path through the lower grades as a youngster.

Maturity this preparation has really seen her blossom in the latter part of 2022 and she came into the Listed ATC Canterbury Sprint (1200m) off the back of a three-race winning streak.

A late pick-up ride for lightweight jockey Andrew Adkins, I AM ME had to work early to cross from an outside barrier and settle outside the speedy Spaceboy.

But the leaders had their rivals off the bit a long way from home before I AM ME was asked to assert her authority and then under hands and heels, drew clear of Spaceboy to win by a widening 1.21 lengths margin, stopping the clock at a stunning 1m 08.45s.

I AM ME is the first horse ever to break 69 seconds for the Canterbury 1200m, shattering the previous record of 1m 9.03s set by Hoystar 15 years ago.

This was I AM ME's fourth win from as many starts this preparation, her first at stakes level, but in each success, the Dynamic mare has run lightning sectionals splits and fast overall time.

Jockey Andrew Adkins was a late replacement for Tommy Berry who could not make I AM ME's 54kg impost but it made little difference as the mare was in a different league to her rivals.

Adkins later reported he rode I AM ME like she was the "best horse in the race" and wasn't concerned having to make use of her early to negate her outside barrier.

I AM ME was sent out a $1.60 favourite and continued her rich vein of form, always looking in control of the race before forging clear.

RACE RESULT: KIA CANTERBURY SPRINT - LISTED RACE
(1200m) of $160,000. 1st $82,500.

Quality Hcp, Surface: Good 3, Minimum Weight 53.5kg

Time: 1:08.45 (Track Record / Class Record) Last 600m: 0:34.13

First: I AM ME 54.0kgs ($1.60 fav)

Second: Spaceboy 53.5kgs ($7.0) 1.21 lengths

Third: Dragonstone 53.5kg, ($10) 2.42 lengths

Racing Australia Official Comment: New Track Record

Previous Track Record: HOYSTAR 1:09.03 (2008)

Dynamic Syndications purchased I AM ME for $210,000 at the Melbourne Premier Sale three years ago.

I AM ME as a yearling at the sales

It has proven an astute investment with the mare improving her record to
7 wins from 12 starts, earning $449,600 prizemoney.

Her PEDIGREE PAGE now reads:

Ciaron Maher is considering setting I AM ME for the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Sandown next month and then the Newmarket.

Two Everest slot-holders have already contacted the mare's ownership group to gauge interest in aiming her at the world's richest turf race later this year.

Sydney stable representative Johann Gerard-Dubord said there was confidence I AM ME would make the transition to stakes racing.

"I AM ME was always going to get that black type win,'' Gerard-Dubord said.

"She is very exciting and keeps running times.''

I AM ME was a worthy short-priced favourite, doing a great job winning her first stakes level race.

She became I Am Invincible's 89th Stakes Winner.

I AM INVINCIBLE - Sire of I AM ME who became her sire's 89th Stakes Winner

Bred by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and sold through the Segenhoe Stud draft for $210,000 to Dynamic Syndications/Dean Watt Bloodstock at the 2020 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

I AM ME is the second foal produced by the handy mare Mefnooda (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) whose five wins from 10 starts included a Caulfield success.

Served last spring by Too Darn Hot (GB), Mefnooda has a yet-to-race Snitzel 3-year-old called Truro (a $210,000 2021 NZB Karaka graduate) and a yet-to-be-named Justify (USA) 2-year-old filly who sold for NZ$55,000 at Karaka last year.

Mefnooda is a half-sister to the Gr3 Blue Diamond Prelude Winner One Last Dance (Encosta De Lago) out of the Gr3 VRC Thoroughbred Breeders' S. Winner One World (Danehill {USA}).

I AM ME

4yo mare by I Am Invincible ex Mefnooda (by Medaglia d'Oro)

12 Starts: 7 Wins, 1 Second, 1 Third, 1 Fourth and
Earnings of $449,600

Second Dam - One World

Third Dam - Prawn Cocktail

Sale - 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale

Sold by Segenhoe Stud Australia P/L for $210,000 to
Dynamic Syndications / Dean Watt Bloodstock

Breeder - Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum

Trainer - Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (Warwick Farm)

Jockey - Andrew Adkins

Now a Stakes Winner (1st Canterbury Sprint LR) and
Stakes Performer (4th Denise’s Joy S., LR)

Benchmark Ratings started this preparation at 74
jumping to 103 in just 4 race starts: 29 points = 14.5kgs

RACE SUMMARY:

Pre-Race there was some administrative drama unfolded when an hour before the race, jockey Tommy Berry advised the Stewards that he was unable to make the 54.0kgs as he hadn’t been able to get down to the weight after wasting.

Stewards immediately notified stable foreman Johann Gerard-Dubord (Joh), who called Ciaron Maher who told Joh to call Adam Watt and see who Dynamic wanted to replace Tommy with.

Adam had no hesitation that team member Andrew Adkins would be given the silks.

Andrew has been doing the hard yards for our Dynamic Team at trackwork, barrier trials, and on lightweight chances in the city, and has been riding a fair amount at provincial and country races for us.

Andrew Adkins

Managed by jockey agent Liam Prior, Andrew is a member of the team that has supplied so much success to Dynamic Syndications and there was never any doubt that Andrew would be engaged.

Joh notified the stewards, and the announcement was made.

It was met with instant support by the punters when the announcement was released. I AM ME firmed in betting from $1.70 into $1.65, then into $1.60 then into $1.55 before easing back to $1.60 as the field loaded into the gates.

Pre-race as the field went onto the track, stable foreman Johann Gerard-Dubord was interviewed by Sky Channel’s Richard Haynes who commented: “With I AM ME, you know her as well as anyone. In the yard today, down at the stalls, is she handling things just like normal?”

Joh replied: “Yes, same as usual, probably a touch more relaxed than usual, obviously a bit deeper into the prep now, but yes, she has a very good attitude this time in, she has matured a lot, and she’s the same as usual.”

Richard then asked “ok, a change of jockey here as well, it wasn’t planned, but you deal with it as you do.”

Joh replied: “Yes you do. Andrew actually had a sit on her, he trialled her earlier this preparation at Hawkesbury, so he knows her which will be a big help.”

Richard then asked: “The gates open – in a perfect world, what happens?”

Joh answered: “Oh she’s pretty quick early, the track seems to be playing that way, fairly leaderish, so just want to make use of her early speed, and light weight. She’s very fit, hopefully she will be outside the leader, that would be perfect.”

Then Luke Marlow from Sky Channel was ready to give his pre-race summary, to fellow Sky Channel commentator Richard Callendar, who had been spruiking the eventual runner-up Spaceboy as his main selection for 24 hours.

Richard said to Luke “You’re with the favourite?”

Luke replied “I am, I’m not going to try and be a 'hero' and get her beat. She’s a class act, she’ll go forward and I think win, as simple as that, I AM ME on top for me.”

Richard Haynes then chimed back in adding: “Out to prove she is one of Sydney’s most exciting horses right now, Autumn horses are to come back, but …. right now, she’s the real talking horse of Sydney Racing.”

Richard Callendar changed tact and responded: “Too many times we try to put cold water on horses, and yes, it is the off season and the big horses are back in work getting ready for the Autumn, but the way the preparation has fallen, this is her time, she’s very exciting, and she’s running time, and she will get her chance to run time today. You would imagine they are going to run a class record here. It’s all about I AM ME, is she the next pin-up horse of Sydney Racing? We’re about to find out.”

Racecaller Mitch Manners took over the commentary: “The last one to move up, I AM ME the pickup ride for Andrew Adkins, $1.55 the closing price.”

The gates crashed back and Vangelic hit the ground fast with Spaceboy and I AM ME going forward to make a line of three, so the favourite having to do a bit of work with Vangelic there in the centre, whilst Invincible Kiss is poking up to be fourth on the back of the leaders.

Passing the 900m Vangelic eased out of the speed battle allowing I AM ME to amble across from out wide to settle 1.5 lengths off the leader to its outside. I AM ME was a little fired-up at this point having been asked to accelerate, she wanted to keep going, but Andrew grabbed hold and she fought him for 100m wanting to go faster, but then settled.

At the 800m Spaceboy held the lead and the paint, with handlebars down running along quickly. I AM ME was sitting in a stalking role as the field were spread out over a dozen lengths as the chasers tried in vain to keep in touch with the leaders.

From the 800m to the 400m Spaceboy had a breather for this standard of horse, and Andrew on I AM ME took advantage of the slower sectional to rebuild gas reserves for the sprint home whilst slowly but surely reeling in the leaders 1.25 length margin.

Passing the 400m on the point of the home turn the race was on again as Spaceboy took off and put a length up on I AM ME who was on its outside. Andrew just allowed our mare to balance underneath him and get into her rhythm as the field balanced for the run home.

Andrew then got busy and our mighty mare as I AM ME ambled up to the leader and went on by.

Away she goes !

Passing the 150m the race was over, but Andrew noted that his mare was star gazing and looking about at the infield screen.

Andrew changed to hands and heels and straightened her head and focus and then, stride by stride the margin widened until the camera flashed.

I AM ME was flying !

Our Dynamic Duo posted an eased down but widening 1.21 length victory over Spaceboy with a further 1.21 back to Dragonstone in third place.

What was astonishing was the time she ran, and she did it so easily.

I AM ME had just obliterated the clock posting an eased down 1:08.45 for the 1200m smashing the Canterbury Park Track Record. In fact, she was the first horse to ever run sub 1:09.00 as the previous track record was held by HOYSTAR in 2008 when he ran 1:09.03 and that mark had stood as the fastest ever run at Canterbury.

I AM ME had just sliced a massive 0.48 secs off that track record (approximately 3.5 lengths) and did it eased down the final 50m and was giving away weight to the males who chased her home.

She had to give the boys a half-kilo (0.5kg) plus she had to give away her 2.0kg mares allowance, that under the conditions of the race she was not allowed to use, so she gave the boys a 2.5kgs weight pull and she gave them a cold as she whizzed by.

As Mitch Manners declared: “At the 200 mark, Spaceboy quickly joined by I AM ME who got the better of the leader now, 3 lengths away Dragonstone running on. I AM ME is clear, starting to pull clear late and the picket fence continues, I AM ME won the Canterbury Sprint, Spaceboy a brave second, and Dragonstone third. Too Good!”

I AM ME & Andrew Adkins returning to the winners stall

Richard Haynes then took over the commentary “12 starts, 7 wins Good Mare! She’s a Listed Winner, that’s good for a start, but there is more to come, there’s Group 3’s, Group 2’s and who knows Group 1’s, she’s pretty good. Spaceboy made a race of it, he tried hard, he’s quick, he’s just a nice yardstick for where she is at the moment, but she’s going places. Dragonstone hit the line, but its all about I AM ME, she remains a very, very exciting mare.”

Richard Callendar added: “You are spot on, it’s all about her. She was dominant, she got to $1.60 on the tote and kudos to Andrew Adkins, the pressure was on Andrew, it was a pick-up ride, Tommy Berry couldn’t make the weight, Andrew got the opportunity, and he rode her a peach, he didn’t panic the first 50m, when Nash Rawiller was making him work on Vangelic, Spaceboy had its chance, he wasn’t good enough but he was gallant, they cleared out from the opposition, Dragonstone hit the line good, but its all about this girl I AM ME she’s the new Pin-Up Horse.”

Richard Haynes then spoke with our Sydney stable foreman Joh post-race and said: “Johann well done, this was clearly a Listed test and its always a bit harder, but she’s handled that really well.”

Joh responded: “Yeah she has, obviously she was going really well, winning the past three but its always good to get a Black-Type Win, obviously she was good again today, she had to do a bit of work early, and because of that she ran a bit strongly today, just a touch keen, but she was just too good late.”

I AM ME knows she's good - here she stands receiving & acknowledging applause from the crowd!

Richard Haynes then asked: “She hasn’t just won, Mitch Manners just said that she has broken a Track Record, so that is some gallop from a very exciting mare!”

Joh: “Yeah she is very exciting. She keeps running times, obviously a track record is always good to have on a CV. It’s great for Dynamic Syndications, obviously they are big supporters, they have been patient, they have a big group of owners have been very patient with her, she has taken a bit of time, but they are going to be rewarded this preparation, and it’s good to get a win here at Canterbury Stakes because we are affiliated with KIA too.”

Richard added: “We will leave it to the team to work out where she goes, 12 starts 7 wins but what about these owners here, a massive group that Dynamic have brought in here, they are happy, it’s a Happy New Year - Good on Them!

Joh replied: “Yeah, it’s a great start to the year. The group gets bigger and bigger everytime she runs, yeah we’ll have a chance to sit down and work out a plan.”

Richard then summarised: “Well Done Joh. It’s a minute, eight, forty-five and 34.14 the last 600m. A length and a quarter by a length and a quarter, so a Track Record, for I AM ME. She comes back, look at the shoulder, look at the hindquarter, she’s one powerful girl, and she’s very good.”

Luke Marlow added-in: “There’s no substitute for speed or class, is there, and she’s got both. He had to gas her from the outside stall, and she was up to the task. Andrew Adkins was the man in the saddle, a pickup ride Andy, and she looks pretty good this mare.”

Stable Foreman JOH with Dynamic rider Andrew Adkins

Our jockey Andrew Adkins said: “Yeah, she’s certainly pretty talented, I actually trialled her first time this preparation, and she gave me a beautiful feel in the trial. Obviously, it’s unfortunate for Tommy, but I was able to pick up the ride, and I am very thankful to Ciaron and his team and obviously Dynamic Syndications. They have been big supporters of mine of late, I’m thrilled to be able to get a great race for them as well.

Luke then said: “You had to use her a little bit from the wide draw, but she can do it both ends, and that’s the sign of a top-class horse isn’t it!”

Andrew responded: “Yeah she was certainly the best horse in the race, and I knew I was going to be able to do that, to burn the candle at both ends, but I knew she was the best horse in the race, and she was very, very strong late, so there are bigger and better things in store for her now.”

Luke Marlow signed off: “A Listed Win – Well Done!”

Winners Circle

A Happy I AM ME is all smiles after her win !

Congratulations to our Top Team of Dynamic Syndications Owners who are now being rewarded for their patience and loyalty: Dynamic Syndications Racing, Sheikh M B K Al Maktoum, Mrs J M Crooks, B & K Ramsey Family, P J Woollett, G Rassos, R J Gall, R G Dawkins, A W Robertson, A Cranes, A Mitchell, Mrs M Joyce, M G Joyce, S B Troughton, D P Lacey, M J Millner, S Finnigan & A D Vella

Winners Room at Canterbury

Further, we recognise and congratulate the huge team effort from everyone at the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace Stables and their incredible workloads put in by all their terrific staff.

A special big shout out to “JOH” Johann Gerard-Dubord, Ciaron and David’s Stable Foreman who leads the Sydney Stable, for his wonderful contribution at keeping things running so smoothly.

We are disappointed for rider TOMMY BERRY who missed out on the ride, but we acknowledge and thank Tommy for his massive efforts to make the weight, but ultimately, he fell just a little short.

This gave us the outstanding opportunity to put on top Andrew Adkins who is a selfless team player for Team Dynamic. He grabbed the opportunity (and silks) with both hands and responded with a pearler of a ride.

This was a wonderful way to kick-off the 2023 Calendar Year for our Owners, by winning a Stakes Race at Canterbury and setting an astonishingly quick Track Record in the process.

From Dynamic Syndications perspective, this victory by I AM ME recorded our 803rd Race Win overall.

She also recorded our 33rd Race Win for this current 2022-23 Racing Season and this was our 12th (36.4%) Metropolitan Winner for the Season.

We have a smorgasbord of options available for I AM ME coming up, but most important is to allow her to get the sun on her back for a few days and recharge the batteries before aiming at the pointy end of the Black-Type races coming up over the Autumn.

I AM ME - Quick Facts:

Winner at: Randwick, Rosehill (2), Canterbury, Flemington, Ballarat, Canberra

Combined winning total margins: 15.45 lengths

Four Class Records from 7 Race Wins:

0.48 secs off the Class Record at Canterbury Open Hcp &
New Track Record by 0.48 secs

0.65 secs off the Class Record at Rosehill Bm78
(0.47 Outside Rosehill Track Record)

0.45 secs off the Class Record at Randwick Bm88
(0.45 Outside Randwick Track Record)

0.48 secs off the Class Record at Canberra Mdn
(0.71 Outside Track Record)

Starting Prices: She has started Odds-On in 5 of 7 wins:

Canterbury $1.60
Randwick $2.50
Rosehill $1.50
Rosehill $2.15
Flemington $1.80
Ballarat $1.85
Canberra $1.70

Onwards and Upwards!