Dynamic Syndications 4yo mare I AM ME (by I AM INVINCIBLE from MEFNOODA) only saw daylight at the 200m, but when jet pilot Tommy Berry pushed the “go button” on our talented mare, the race was over in three strides as I AM ME sped away with such authority, in a blink she had put her peers to the sword and I AM ME was ridden only hands and heels across the line, in a slick final 200m split of 11.19 secs.
I AM ME in dominant win at Rosehill
Our CIARON MAHER & DAVID EUSTACE trained mare I AM ME carrying 58.5kgs was sent to the barriers in Race 9, the NEW TAB APP Handicap, as a $2.10 favourite and under a lovely ride by TOMMY BERRY never let her supporters down, when stopping the clock in 1:02.93 and recorded a dominant 1.88 length WIN over Coco Rox (59kgs) in second and Miss Jay Fox (58kgs) was 3.29 length third.
I AM ME was special at Rosehill
The time of 1:02.93 obliterated the Rosehill Benchmark 78 Fillies & Mares Class Record which stood at 1:03.58 set by Lilliemor in 2021. Whilst she was just 0.47 outside the longstanding Track Record set by Westicaro in 2007 of 1:02.51.
What was really exciting for her ownership team and connections was that I AM ME was nowhere near fit yet, having only one soft barrier trial as a lead-up to this event. She was at least 3 or 4 hard gallops away from being ready to excite.
However, when we saw the nominations come out for the race it appeared weak, so we accepted to “look and see.”
As late as Friday afternoon, we were still very much a “toss of the coin” to run or trial again on Monday 7/11 and go to the races in a fortnight.
Being a Benchmark 78 Fillies and Mares, and looking at the Racing Calendar ahead, this was the only truly acceptable event in the coming 3-4 weeks at the right distance and grade.
Therefore, with the track improving day-by-day, despite being only 80% ready, we elected to race rather than a second barrier trial, and as a result, I AM ME picked up a first prize cheque of $76,250.
We knew that what ever she did in this event she would have many lengths of fitness improvement to come.
I AM ME took her career record to:
9 Starts = 4 Wins: 1 Second: 1 Third & 1 Fourth and Prizemoney of $214,600
Her 4th placing was in the Denise’s Joy - a Listed Race.
The race and speed map panned out perfectly for us, as we had considered it should on paper.
We anticipated, when the speedy Winning Verse scratched, that would see Coco Rox (barrier 2) connections want to lead the fence. That would give I AM ME a lovely trail on the leaders back and allow us to bowl along under its own rhythm.
We had also anticipated Miss Jay Fox (Rachel King) would be unable to control herself and its rider would put it in the firing line with the leader. This would be ideal, as I AM ME who was so soft in condition, would have the most economical trip, leaving her with gas in the tank for the final part of the race. Tommy Berry executed the plan to perfection.
As the gates crashed back, I AM ME broke away perfectly, and Tommy got our mare to come back underneath him after just a few strides as Coco Rox pushed up to take the fence. Miss Jay Fox pushed up to come across however between them was Ebhaar trying to keep its position. So after the first 100m Coco Rox held the fence, with Ebhaar a half a length back at its girth and Miss Jay Fox 3 deep whilst I AM ME and Tommy were sitting quietly in fourth, one back the fence watching it all unfold. This quartet had established a break on the chasing pack, with 2 lengths back to Devil’s Triangle and Grace Bay at its girth with another 2 lengths back to the final 3 being Undeniable, Miss Ostend and Lovemetender 3 deep at the tail of the field.
There were no changes in order until the pressure came into the race. As the field swung for home and dashed up to the three hundred metre mark, there were still no changes as Coco Rox had kicked away looking for the line, but Tommy Berry was sitting quietly, albeit in a touch of bother, behind Coco Rox and Rachel King was trying to keep us in a pocket on the fence.
The leader was tiring and started to wander and when Tommy saw that passing the 200m, he let the brakes off, and came out behind Coco Rox and pushed Miss Jay Fox out of the way. Then in 3 strides, I AM ME glided up to eyeball Coco Rox then broke its heart as our mare sprinted away.
TOMMY BERRY sitting pretty in run to the line
The arrogance of the demolition was witnessed when with 60m to run, Tommy Berry had the luxury to stop riding the mare allowing her to coast to the post under a lounge chair ride.
I AM ME was airborne at Rosehill
All up I AM ME only sprinted for 140m of the final 200m yet came from behind the leader and had a widening 1.88 length eased down margin on the line.
TOMMY brings I AM ME back to scale
JOB DONE!
TOMMY BERRY Salutes a Job Well Done
It was a terrific effort by the mare, a pearler of a ride by Tommy, and an exciting view into the future of this mare for connections knowing the improvement to come.
A TOP TEAM of Loyal Dynamic Owners in the Winner's Circle !
I AM ME was a $210,000 yearling at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale, from the Segenhoe Stud draft, as agent for Sheikh M B K Al Maktoum, who then joined us in her co-ownership.
CONGRATULATIONS to our TOP TEAM of Wonderful Co-Owners that Own and Race I AM ME: Dynamic Syndications Racing, Sheikh M B K Al Maktoum, Mrs J M Crooks, B & K Ramsey Family, Mr P J Woollett, Mr G Rassos, Mr R J Gall, Mr R G Dawkins, Mr A W Robertson, Mr A Cranes, Mr A Mitchell, Mrs M Joyce, Mr M G Joyce, Mr S B Troughton, Mr D P Lacey, Mr MJ Millner, Mr S Finnigan, Mr A D Vella.
I Am Me 5.11.22 from Dynamic Syndications on Vimeo.
I AM ME recorded Dynamic Syndications 786th Overall Race Win and our 16th Race Win for the season.
I AM ME capped off a nice day at the sport for Team Dynamic, being our third winner on the day. We had saluted earlier with JOHNNY DASH at Goulburn, then HARD TO SAY at Wyong.
In the press the following morning, Ray Thomas wrote: “I Am Me (Race 9) dominated her rivals to win easing down by nearly two lengths yet she still recorded a very fast 33.06s final 600m and a 11.19s closing 200m.
Whilst Ron Dufficy declared her his ONE TO FOLLOW, saying: It was only a benchmark 78 but I Am Me was terrific winning with authority and looking a much stronger mare this campaign. She is very sharp and can charge through her classes to Listed company.
ONWARDS & UPWARDS!