By John Schell
Hawkesbury trainer Blake Ryan will turn his attention to Queanbeyan on Monday where he has the talented I Am Real set to resume from a spell and have its first run for the stable in the Walsh’s Hotel Maiden Plate (1000m).
Formerly trained by Chris Waller, I Am Real is a daughter of top stallion I Am Invincible which has been joined a new ownership group as it embarks on a preparation that will culminate in a stud career.
“She was originally sold for half a million,” said Ryan.
“The new owners bought her for around $80,000 and they want to try and win a race with her before she heads to stud.
“She’s very well bred being by I Am Invincible and out of an Exceed And Excel mare. If she can happen to win a race or two then her value at stud would only increase.”
I Am Real was placed in a couple of races on the Polytrack at the Gold Coast in April of last year, and hasn’t raced since failing at the Sunshhine Coast last May.
“Since she’s come to me, she’s shown a bit of promise,” said Ryan.
“She hasn’t had a trial but she’s had a jump out and she ran well in that.
“She’s drawn well in barrier two at Queanbeyan and she has the speed to take up a position so I expect her to run very well.”
Canberra trainer Gratz Vella looks to be in for a big day at Queanbeyan with a number of top chances engaged.
He has Prophet Time in the Campbell & George Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m), Astunner and Dashing Elgee in the Defence Force Cup 19 May Benchmark 58 Handicap (1460m), and Crucia Witness in the Queanbeyan Leagues Club Benchmark 58 Handicap (1200m).
Damon Budler will ride Prophet Time and Astunner, with Kayla Nisbet on Dashing Elgee and Quayde De Krogh on Crucial Witness.
Prophet Time and Astunner have both drawn ideally in barriers one and three respectively, while Crucia Witness is set to get its chance having also drawn ideally in barrier one.
All the fields, form and replays for Monday's Queanbeyan meeting