I AM ME Manikato Barrier Draw Looks Ideal

24 Oct 23

Dynamic Syndications mare I AM ME appears to have come up with an ideal barrier draw for her racing style when she drew barrier 6 in a field of 7 runners at Moonee Valley this coming Saturday.

James McDonald celebrates winning the $2m Sydney Stakes Gr3 on I AM ME

With IMPERATRIZ at a prohibitive price of $1.40 favourite and appearing to have the race to suit after two Moonee Valley Track Records at Gr1 level over 1000m in her past two starts, it appears that several stables chose to sidestep the mare.

However, the form in Melbourne and the form of Sydney can be deceiving and hard to line up.

Sydneysiders often head south and take home the spoils.

Whilst Melbourne’s sprint form is well exposed, the inclusion of I AM ME and Buenos Noches into the race mixes up the formlines.

I AM ME was targeted at this race 8 months ago, and she arrive at this race as her Grand Final, fit and in form off the back of three starts this preparation for a Gr2 Win in the Missile Stakes, then two lengths from the winner in the Gr2 Sheraco and then when fit well and ready she produced a dominating win in the $2m Sydney Stakes Gr3 last time out on the 14th October.

I AM ME winning Sydney Stakes

I AM ME is a track record holder at 1200m at Canterbury and has run a sizzling 1200m in 1:07.7 at Randwick.

I AM ME winning the Canterbury Sprint LR in Track Record Time

Knowing she regularly peels sub 33.0 secs off the front, she will be well suited under the Weight For Age conditions of this Gr1 Sprint.

I AM ME winning at Flemington

Despite being small in numbers to face the starter, the race speed map shows that the field should break into two distinct divisions.

In Barrier Draw Positions are:

.1) I AM WAR ($100)
.2) UNCOMMON JAMES ($8)
.3) THE INFERNO ($23)
.4) IMPERATRIZ ($1.40)
.5) BUENOS NOCHES ($6)
.6) I AM ME ($6.50)
.7) JIGSAW ($34)

The initial Speed Map suggests that JAMES McDONALD has a lap full of choices.

Ciaron Maher was interviewed by Racing.com at Breakfast With The Best on Tuesday morning prior to the barrier draw and was asked: “How does I AM ME go about beating Imperatriz?”

Ciaron responded “Just be faster than her! I Am Me is in great order, we didn’t bother bringing her here this morning, she’s obviously very fit, and didn’t need the extra (float) trip, but she’s very well, and JMac will take the ride and hopefully she (Imperatriz) can’t catch her.”

The race promises to be fascinating.

James McDonald will be able to ride the race he wants to ride from this draw.

Imperatriz at $1.40 will be a major challenge in the small field and all runners will have their chance at success, but racing is a sport, and sometimes unforeseen things can happen in running. Just like how Bradbury won a Gold Medal.

Dynamic Duo Ciaron Maher & James McDonald

The Ciaron Maher Team will be presenting I AM ME fit, well and ready.

What will be will be; Onwards and Upwards!