This Mare Is Still A Star

Group One winner I Am A Star recorded her seventh stakes win and eighth overall when she returned to form in the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington on September 15.

Trained by Shane Nichol, the 5YO I Am A Star (I Am Invincible x Star Band by Dixieland Band) has now won a Group race every season since she was a 2YO.from two to five.

I Am A Star cost just $12,000 as a weanling at the NZB 2014 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale at Karaka in 2014.

She has now had 24 starts for eight wins, five placings and $1.3 million prize-money for owner Matthew Sandblom.

Her biggest win to date came in the G1 Myer Classic at Flemington in 2016. She has also won four G2 races and a G3.

• Princess Posh, another 5YO mare who was a value buy for $25,000 at the 2015 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, broke through for her first stakes win in the G3 Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle on September 14.

The consistent Princess Posh is by Canford Cliffs from The Baroness by Viscount and is a half-sister to the multiple race winners Oh Romeo (Foreplay) and Famechon Baroness (Haradasun).

Canford Cliffs, who shuttled to Australia for five years, was sold to Highlands Stud in South Africa last year.

Her dam The Baroness is a half-sister to the G3 Millie Fox Stakes winner A Country Girl (Singspiel) and has produced winners from all three of her foals to date.

Princess Posh’s second dam Verdict Declared (Mr Henrysee) also won the Millie Fox Stakes among her 10 career victories. She is a sister to the G1 winner Mr Innocent.

The Baroness currently has a filly foal by Foxwedge.

• Champion sire Fastnet Rock extended his tally of stakes winners to 140 when the classy young sprinter Siege Of Quebec won the G3 Bill Ritchie at Randwick.

The win has put Siege Of Quebec (Fastnet Rock x Rose Of Cimmaron by Bite the Bullet) in contention for the G1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick on September 29.

• Impressive filly Smart Melody (Smart Missile x Sweetest Melody by Encosta De Lago) became the sixth individual stakes winner for her sire when she won the Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes at Flemington.

Smart Melody was making her Melbourne debut and extended her unbeaten record to four wins, placing her at the top of betting for the G1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield next month.

• Golden Slipper winner Sebring is the sire of 46 individual stakes winners after his 5YO gelding Violate won the Listed Sofitel at Flemington.

Violate is a member of a notable family. Her dam Shantha’s Girl is a daughter of champion sire Redoute’s Choice.