By Ray Hickson
Trainer Mark Newnham has one small reservation about lightly raced sprinter I Am Power ahead of his return at Rosehill on Saturday while he’s not giving up on stablemate Marway staging a form reversal.
The duo are Newnham’s only runners on the Rosehill card and they appear in the Guildford Leagues Club Handicap (1100m).
I Am Power, the former Irish and Hong Kong galloper, created a big impression in his first preparation with Newnham earlier this year and he’s first-up from a spell while Marway has been unplaced in all four runs this campaign.
Newnham said he’s rapt with I Am Power, $5 with TAB on Friday, but is concerned he could be a little vulnerable.
“His four runs for me were terrific and I’d say he’s in similar condition to what he was first-up last preparation where he ran very well but just needed it,’’ he said.
“He might just be one run short but 1100m around Rosehill isn’t an overly testing assignment.”
That first-up run was an unlucky second behind Blondeau on a soft 7 track at Gosford and he was able to win second-up.
Newnham said the seven-year-old has acclimatised to his liking and will have his chance with 56kg after Tom Sherry’s claim to kick off what he expects to be a fruitful preparation in a positive manner.
He was an impressive barrier trial winner at Warwick Farm last month.
I Am Power wins a trial at Warwick Farm on November 16
“He will run well, it’s just a matter of whether he’s quite tuned up to win first-up,’’ he said.
“Last time it was 1200m on soft ground, this time it’s 1100m. He goes on wet and dry so if we do happen to have a wet summer I don’t think he will be too disadvantaged.”
Marway was revelation for Newnham after he arrived from North Queensland winning four of his first seven starts but he hasn’t been the same horse this time in.
The six-year-old battled somewhat in the soft ground in The Warra (1000m) at Kembla Grange two weeks ago and while Newnham saw some positives he’s adamant he wants a dry track.
“I rode him Thursday morning and I’m really happy with his condition and the way he’s going but he doesn’t like wet tracks,’’ he said.
“I know he has run well on them before at a lesser level.
“He took a fair while for his coat to come right this prep but he looks good and I was pleased with the way he settled at Kembla.
“At his previous start he pretty much just charged and wanted to get it over and done with. He settled well in his work and that indicates his head space is good.”
Marway, $34 with TAB, has drawn the outside in the eight horse field so it’ll be interesting to see if Josh Parr can get him to settle.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting