I Am Famous is starting to carve out a name of her own.
The filly has big shoes to fill if she’s to be anything like her big brother, Everest winner Classique Legend, but jockey Kerrin McEvoy believes the pair have more in common than we think.
After a slow start to her career, the Chris Waller-trained four-year-old is chasing four straight wins in the Kia Ora Prague Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
“She’s come a long way in the last six months,’’ McEvoy said.
“She showed glimpses of talent early on; I suppose you could say she was highly strung and taking her time to get her head around what was involved.
“She is a different type of horse in regards to her best trip, so it’s hard to compare her to Classique Legend.
“He was quite a freak, but he did keep improving as he got older, so there’s no reason why she can’t do the same.”
“Chris has been very patient with her, and she’s got to handle the pressures of race day, which are showing in her exploits on the track,’’ he said.
“I couldn’t believe how big and well she felt going to the gates the other day.
“She’s really furnished, and that’s the reason why she’s coming into her own.”
Since retiring from racing, Classique Legend is enjoying post-racing life with McEvoy’s and is eying off potentially competing in Equimillion 2025.
If I Am Famous can continue on her winning way and handle the 3 kg weight rise, McEvoy said there’s every reason to think she can make it to stakes company at least. She’s led all the way to her past two wins, and with barrier one again, the champion jockey said it gives him options.
“She’s shown she likes to be an on-speed type runner, but I wouldn’t say she has to lead,’’ he said.
“We’ll work out the tempo and play it as it unfolds. She’s been beginning nicely, and the inside draw is a nice advantage.”
