Trainer Daniel Bowman is optimistic that Is It Me can take the next step this spring, with Saturday’s Group 3 Behemoth Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville shaping as the launchpad for his ambitious campaign.

Fresh off a highly promising last preparation, Is It Me resumes against the unbeaten mare Cicala in what Bowman believes is the perfect race to kick off his preparation towards the Group 1 Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 20.

“After his second start I said to my good mate Mitch Freedman that this horse will win a group one,” Bowman said. “He just needed time and experience to put it all together.”

Bowman credits jockey Billy Egan with helping the gelding improve his racecraft and said giving the horse more recovery time between runs has proven key.

“His racing manners weren’t great early on,” Bowman admitted. “But we gave him space between runs, and it really brought out the best in him.”

Last prep, Is It Me rattled off three wins in succession, including a standout performance in the Group 3 Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap (1400m), where he notched a career-best rating of 116.

Dean Yendall will take over riding duties in the Behemoth with Egan sidelined, and Bowman sees it as a positive switch with an eye on spring handicaps.

“We’re looking ahead to the Rupert Clarke where he might carry a lighter weight—too light for Billy—so this is a good time for Dean to get familiar with him,” Bowman said.

The plan is to progress through the Memsie Stakes before peaking for the Rupert Clarke.

“I’ve learned from past campaigns that if you can finish within a few lengths of them in the Memsie, you’re right in it for the Rupert Clarke,” he said.

Is It Me is currently at $4.40 for the Behemoth Stakes and holds a $26 quote for the Rupert Clarke.

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