By Craig Brennan
The Peter and Paul Snowden stable is banking of the prowess of I Am Superman performing well fresh when the former European galloper runs at Eagle Farm.
And, the stable is hoping for a change of fortune in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap over 1400 metres on Saturday after the gelding finished down the track behind Tofane in last year’s edition.
He will be ridden by in-form hoop Sam Clipperton on Saturday.
I Am Superman came to Australia after a successful career in Ireland to contest the inaugural running of the Golden Eagle at Rosehill in 2019.
After finishing down the track, I Am Superman joined the Snowden yard and after a brief autumn campaign in 2020 finally hit his straps during the spring of that year.
Yet to be successful in four tries at Group 1 level, I Am Superman is a dual winner in Group 2 company and the Snowden team has designed his campaign around keeping him fresh for Saturday’s contest.
The Snowdens had I Am Superman down to run in the rescheduled Group 3 BRC Sprint over 1300 metres at Eagle Farm on May 28.
But, I Am Superman drew badly that day and hasn’t fared too well on Saturday, drawing out in gate 18 in the 23-horse field, although he will come into 14 if the emergencies do not gain a start.
The gelding has not raced since finishing down the track behind Ayrton in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap over 1400 metres at Caulfield in April but has been kept up to the mark with trials at Randwick and Hawkesbury since during the month of May.
“He’s dynamite fresh,” co-trainer Paul Snowden said.
“He’s been ticking over for quite a long time.
"He’s a good stable horse that loves the stable environment.
“The temptation of not having to run a fortnight ago in BRC Sprint when he drew so bad, just made it a no-brainer, so we gave him another trial to have him as best as we can get him.”