
WITH plenty of his owners on-course at Sandown on Wednesday, there was no better time for I Am News to shine.
And shine the Brent Stanley-trained four-year-old did, digging deep for an ultra-impressive and tough first city win in a Class 1 event over 1600m.
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It was the gelded son of Press Statement and Red Chilli Peppers' second career win from six starts, coming on the back of a second at Kyneton on heavy 8 earlier in the month and a third before that at Echuca on Melbourne Cup day.
While it was not the original plan, Liam Riordan took I Am News straight to the front and it was there he remained, despite being fiercely challenged by a trio of horses, including Crackerjack Prince (Declan Bates), Designs (Damien Thornton) and Sarnia (Teo Nugent), from the 250m.
A performance high on resilience had Stanley predicting there would be better times ahead for I Am News once he hits 2000m or potentially beyond.
"It was surprising his ($10) price, I don't mind getting beat in (benchmark) 58s on a tight track, but this big track suited him," he said.
"He's a big baby - he could be the stable pony.
"He got a little bit lost in front, they half got to him in the last 100m, but when he was made to do the job he got going again.
"I can't wait to get over 2000m and a set of blinkers on. I think he will be a much better horse.
"I think he' not a bad horse, he got through the wet tracks, but he goes on all surfaces."
Stanley's good opinion of the horse was shared by jockey Riordan, who finds himself in some handy form with five wins from his last 21 rides
"I was able to have a nice time in front, didn't go quick at all, and like all of Brent's horses, he quickened up from the 600m and I thought he was too good," he said.
"He shied the whole way down the straight and really wasn't concentrating - he will be a lot better when he's got something to aim at.
"But he's a nice horse and I think at 2000m he will be able to be competitive in town. And blinkers in time too, but not quite yet."
The win gave Stanley his eighth win of the season and followed that of Saw That Coming at Wangaratta last week.
Hopes of a race-to-race double evaporated when It's Kind Of Magic finished seventh in the race after I Am News, despite the mare starting as the $3.60 favourite.
I can't wait to get over 2000m and a set of blinkers on. I think he will be a much better horse.
- Brent Stanley
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