AFTER some good exercise gallops in the mornings, the debut of the lovely looking and well-proportioned dark bay filly, I Am Di One was one of the hot topics on last Saturday’s 11-race card at Caymanas Park.

The offspring of Jamaica Oaks winner, It Is I didn’t disappoint as I Am Di One lived up to the hype spanking rivals by eight lengths in a maiden special weight event for native-bred three-year-old fillies going over six furlongs (1,200m).

Ridden by Simon Husbands, I Am The One defeated Black River (Dane Nelson) and Formal Fashion (Christopher Mamdeen) in that order.

Although the time of 1:14.3 was not impressive compared with her already established peers, it was a performance which suggested that there is still much to be had from this filly.

While many trainers would be looking towards the 1000 Guineas, Anthony Nunes the conditioner of I Am Di One is thinking differently preferring instead to place the well-being of his charge as the top priority.

“The performance was all right as I Am Di One ran against maiden horses. She is a filly that we have high hopes for and she didn’t disappoint us as she ran well.

“We are short on time for the 1000 Guineas (April 13). We have three weeks left before that race, so I am not sure the best thing for her is to run her in the 1000 Guineas but she will have to show us based on how she comes out of this race.

“I mean, she won easily and had she run 1:12 and changed and yes we would think about running her in the Guineas but discussions will first be had with her owners and I am sure we will do what is best for her.

“She ( I Am Di One) has the talent to be a really nice horse but as I said, making her début three weeks before the Guineas is tough. You are talking about horses like Lady Blue and Corazon and Princess Ava who have been there and done that, we have to wait,” Nunes stated.

Speaking about his filly’s late entry into competitive racing Nunes informed: “I Am Di One kept on having difficulties with her shins. Every time we reached a certain stage, she will go a little slower, but the truth is she is big, she is the size of a colt and she is heavy and to make it worst she has talent. So, being that she works fast and she is big, her shins kept hurting. We had to stop and restart and I Am Di One is just finally starting to mature into that body. I wish, I had another two months with her but that’s how life is.”

Black River jumped into the early lead over Mystic Mama and I Am Di One at the start of the race. After a couple of strides the runners started to string out when Mystic Mama took over and brought the runners into the lane with I Am Di One just on her tail.

Once Husbands got I Am Di One to move, the race was pretty much over as the filly cantered home easily on the bit.