The $2million Group III ATC Sydney Stakes (1200m) is seen as a consolation for the sprinters not quite up to The Everest and it produced a thrilling finish with quality mare I Am Me scoring her second Group win this spring after holding off progressive gelding Airman to give champion sire I Am Invincible the quinella.
The Dynamic Syndications colour bearer has been a slow burn type of horse for the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace team, but has made good progress again this spring winning the Group II ATC Missile Stakes at her first run back in August.
Sixth in a hot edition of the Group II ATC Sheraco Stakes behind Sunshine in Paris and Espiona, I Am Me was given a freshen after that run and sent back to the trials to have her cherry ripe for this lucrative assignment.
The plan produced the desired result when she surged to the line for James McDonald to win by three-quarters of a length.
“I Am Me just got on the chewy and overdid it a little bit last start, so James said he was going to ride her like Nature Strip prior to the race and he got it perfect,” said Ciaron Maher.
“He got her relaxed and got her out quickly and across. The team have done a great job and Dynamic Syndications are great supporters of ours in Sydney.”
A $210,000 Inglis Premier purchase from the Segenhoe draft for Dynamic Syndications / Dean Watt Bloodstock, I Am Me has the overall record of nine wins and two placings from 16 starts with prizemoney in excess of $1.8million.
She was bred by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and is the first winner from Mefnooda, a metro winning half-sister by Medaglia D’Oro (USA) to Group III winning filly One Last Dance and daughter of Group IIII winner One World.
Mefnooda was bought by Cambridge Stud at the 2019 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $450,000 and was covered by Too Darn Hot (GB) last spring after missing the year before.
