Lloyd Kennewell has already done a job for I Am Unstoppable’s original owners, now his attention turns to maximising the colt’s value for some of his new ones.
The I Am Invincible three-year-old will have his first start with Widden Stud in the ownership when he contests Saturday’s $1 million Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington.
The famous stud, which has bases in the Hunter Valley and in Victoria, bought into I Am Unstoppable after his second placing in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and Kennewell is acutely aware of the value of winning races like Saturday’s 1000-metre Group 1.
“He’s a valuable colt now, he’s got a home at stud and we’re trying to make him as valuable as we can for Widden Stud,” Kennewell said.
“To win one of these Group 1s that are coming up would be elite for him and for his value as a stallion prospect later on.”
A $65,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling, I Am Unstoppable was sold in a multi-million deal that will see bonuses paid to the original owners for wins in designated events.
His biggest win came in last year’s Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes at just his second start.
The Coolmore Stud Stakes was one of four minor placings from as many starts last campaign for I Am Unstoppable, who was also second in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes and Listed Poseidon Stakes and third in the Group 3 Vain Stakes, won by Cylinder.
That fellow three-year-old will again be a rival in what will be a small Black Caviar Lightning field with only six others nominating for the event.
Imperatriz, Private Eye, Bella Nipotia and Espiona are the other big names confirmed for the weight-for-age contest.
Kennewell, who trains in partnership with Lucy Yeomans, is thrilled with the way I Am Unstoppable has come back.
“He looks like he’s come back bigger and stronger and it’s time to take on the big boys at weight-for-age,” he said.
“He didn’t have long off and from the feel that I’ve got with him, I think that he’s probably lost that little bit of puppy fat that he’s had and he’s turned into muscle (and) had a little bit of grow.
“These I Am Invincibles do keep coming on at three and four, so I think he’s in for a very good prep.”
Kennewell has not looked too deep into the campaign with I Am Unstoppable with the $1.5 million Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 9 the only other race he has locked in for the preparation.
