A dearth of suitable races has kept I Am Power away from the track for the best part of seven weeks and now his trainer has finally found a likely target, the possibility of a heavy surface presents a fresh challenge.
The Irish-born, former Hong Kong galloper has made a good impression in his two Australian runs, finishing second to Blondeau at Gosford at his local debut before powering to victory at Rosehill in May.
Trainer Mark Newnham accepted for a race in Brisbane during the winter carnival but scratched I Am Power due to a wide draw and it has been a lengthy wait for the right event since.
“The only reason he’s had seven weeks between runs is there hasn’t been any races for him,” Newnham said.
“There hasn’t been an 1100 or 1200 metre, benchmark 78 race except for the June Stakes, and I didn’t want to put him straight into Listed grade.
“So lack of races has been the reason but he’s kept ticking over in his work, had a nice trial and he’s going really well. His two starts here have both been good.”
I Am Power will tackle the Heineken Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday and will be ridden by stable apprentice Tom Sherry, who returns from injury.
While the rising seven-year-old has contested races on three different continents, his only starts on wet ground have been his two runs on soft surfaces in Australia.
Randwick was a soft seven on Thursday but with rain on the radar, I Am Power could strike his first heavy track and Newnham admits he is unsure how that will play out.
“He’s probably a question mark on heavy ground, just because he hasn’t seen it,” Newnham said.
“He was OK on soft at Gosford and a softish track at Rosehill but not to where I think the track will get to on Saturday.
“If he handles the ground he’ll be a great chance because he’s quite a decent animal.”
