I Am Velvet to bounce back in The Vanity
There is no doubting the ability I Am Velvet possesses, and trainer Phillip Stokes is convinced the filly has overcome her wayward tendencies.
I Am Velvet is set to have her first start at Flemington when she runs in the Group 3 The Vanity (1400m) on Saturday which Stokes hopes will lead the filly to the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on November 16.
During her two-year-old campaign I Am Velvet was unbeaten in three starts but did show a tendency to hang in, a trait that eventually earned her a warning from stewards after victory over 1400m at Caulfield in July.
Stokes set to work about straightening the filly out, sending her Julien Welsh who is renowned for getting problem horses back on track.
Welsh worked on the barrier antics of Japanese galloper Prognosis ahead of last week’s Cox Plate before running second to Via Sistina.
While Stokes said Welsh had worked some of his magic on I Am Velvet, a course of dressage and a lugging bit have also done their job.
“She has straightened out her manners quite a bit,” Stokes said.
“She lays in, but is not hanging, so she’s quite controllable.
“We changed the bit and did some dressage work with her. We sent her to Julien Welsh’s and mixed things up a bit and she seems a lot more tractable.”
I Am Velvet has had one run back since Stokes sent the filly off for remedial work, finishing an unlucky fourth behind Kuroyanagi at Caulfield on October 12.
The filly looked a handful for Daniel Stackhouse, who has the ride again on Saturday, but I Am Velvet was, Stokes said, a victim of circumstances.
“Everyone thought she was hanging, but she wasn’t,” Stokes said.
“He was trying to get her over heels because there was not enough room to take a run on the fence.
“She came through the run well as she never really came off the bit and we know 1400 metres will not be a problem and the Flemington will suit, a nice big track.
“So, she’ll go to The Vanity and if everything’s OK after that, she’ll head to the Thousand Guineas.”
More Racing News
Vein Girl impresses in rich Magic Millions The Debut win
Vein Girl has put herself in contention for next month’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a strong win on debut under lights at the Gold Coast’s first night meeting. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Vein Girl was sent out the $3.50 favourite with betting sites in Friday night’s $250,000...
Pallaton races into 2025 Golden Slipper contention
Pallaton has stamped himself as a two-year-old colt to watch heading into 2025 with an impressive debut win at Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Pallaton raced to a 2-3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m) and firmed to be among the early favourites in Golden Slipper...
Arriving Home set to target the Magic Millions Guineas 2025
Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to get lightly raced filly Arriving Home into the Magic Millions Guineas next month after the three-year-old remained unbeaten with a tough win at Randwick. Stepping up from a midweek city maiden win at Warwick Farm on debut earlier this month into Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1300m) – a...
Goldman digs deep in the Pakenham Cup 2024
One time Melbourne Cup favourite, Goldman has notched up his fourth win in Australia, leading throughout to take the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) under Beau Mertens. Jumping an $8.50 chance, Goldman’s staying prowess was on show as he kicked back to deny Grand Pierro ($19) by a long head, with $3.30 betting site...
The Kings horse Gilded Water wins at Randwick
Imported stayer Gilded Water has made it back-to-back victories in Australia and has given his owner, His Majesty King Charles III, a winner at Royal Randwick. The King’s racing manager John Warren was on track at Randwick on Saturday as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gilded Water raced to a convincing victory in the...
Here To Shock gives Lindsay Park quinella in The Supernova
Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had the numbers two and three seed to knock off race-favourite Nadal in Saturday’s $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and did just that, with Here To Shock, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, edging stablemate Arkansaw Kid in a thrilling stable quinella. Here To Shock ($4.60) trailed a strong...
Kevin Daffy happy to wait with Oh Too Good ahead of VOBIS Gold Bullion
Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good. A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday. Daffy was sounded...
Bedggood chases rich The Supernova prize
Two rising nine-year-olds, both resuming, will give Gavin Bedggood a potential shot at his biggest payday as a trainer. A former jockey, Bedggood has been plying his trade as a trainer since 2017 and during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival prepared Mornington Glory to land his first Group 1 success. Just Folk and Windstorm, both...
Collett hoping for Dream Brisbane raid in BJ McLachlan Stakes and Magic Millions Falvelon
A pair of promising two-year-olds from the Ciaron Maher stable have lured top Sydney hoop Jason Collett to Queensland for back-to-back meetings this weekend. Collett is heading north to partner filly Life After Love in the $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and her Maher-trained stablemate...
Theodore aims to keep strike-rate going in Christmas Cup at Murray Bridge
Trainer Stephen Theodore is looking to Divine Fire keeping his impressive strike-rate going when she shoots for a winning hat-trick on Saturday. After victories at Morphettville and Gawler, Divine Fire runs in the Christmas Cup (1600m) at Murray Bridge with Jacob Opperman in the saddle. Since returning to training ranks at the start of...
