Just months after he was plucked out of retirement, former Hong Kong galloper I Am Power will attempt to resurrect his racing career in Australia.
The six-year-old will line up for his first start in more than two years in Saturday’s Tooheys Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m) at Gosford, kicking off an unlikely comeback.
After launching his career in Ireland in 2017, I Am Power was purchased by Hong Kong interests and won two of his six starts in the Asian racing centre before injury ended his innings.
He was retired to New Zealand to enjoy life in a paddock but recovered so well, the seed was planted for a return to competition.
His owner had raced horses with Mark Newnham, most notably stakeswinner Lanciato, and when the Sydney trainer was offered I Am Power as somewhat of a project horse, he happily accepted the challenge.
“He’d been running around over there in a paddock and was moving well and looked well so the owner asked me whether I’d be interested in giving him a go here,” Newnham said.
“He did a fair bit of pre-training over there just to see how he was and whether it was worth bringing him over and I’ve had him here nearly three months. He’s fit and well and ready to head to the races.
“He looks to have some ability. He is only lightly raced so it’s not as though he has a lot of miles on the clock.
“He is working well and he’s sound, so we’ll kick him off and see what he’s got.”
I Am Power has prepared for his comeback with two recent barrier trials but is untested on wet tracks.
Gosford was rated in the heavy range on Friday.
