I Am Immortal impresses in Preview win

The Anthony Freedman-trained I Am Immortal has announced himself as a Blue Diamond Stakes contender with an impressive all-the-way win on debut at Caulfield.

I Am Immortal ($3.70) had impressed winning in a recent Pakenham barrier trial and the colt showed his speed and talent to win Saturday’s Listed Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for colts and geldings by a length over Flemington debut winner Microphone ($3.60).

The Mike Moroney-trained Alburq ($6) was another 1-1/4-lengths away third.

“He’s just come on the scene in the last few weeks,” Freedman said.

“We haven’t really done a lot with him to be perfectly honest. He’s just a naturally gifted sort of colt.

“Obviously he has got good speed. We just need to manage him a bit, the way he races, because it would probably be difficult to lead all the way in the Blue Diamond.

“But he did the job today and he’s the sort of horse who probably can take a sit.”

Freedman said the $1.5 million Group One Blue Diamond (1200m) at Caulfield on February 23 was on the radar and he would weigh up whether he ran again in the Prelude in two weeks or go straight in.

“He sustained a good gallop all the way and he was still strong on the line, which was important to see,” Freedman said.

“He will benefit a lot from it in fitness and experience.”

Jockey Ben Melham said I Am Immortal was a quality colt.

“He’s very fast and has a big action,” Melham said.