| Superstar Matamata based mare Imperatriz gave New Zealand’s best sprinters a galloping lesson with a thumping win in today’s Group One Waikato Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa. |
| In winning by almost five lengths, Imperatriz became the most prolific winner at racing’s elite level for her sire I Am Invincible. The only concern for connections today in winning her fourth Group One was a riderless horse who travelled alongside her down the straight. “When the loose horse was out there you’re a little bit mindful of what was going on,” trainer Mark Walker said. “She’s the real deal.” “I’d love to get her to Australia in this form and hopefully we can get a Group One there.” “We’ve just trained her a little big different this time – went back to basics, keeping the riders off her back a little bit more.” “Opie (Bosson) has got such confidence in her,” Walker added. “It was great today. We were pretty confident coming here today.” “She’s been flying in her trackwork and with her demeanour. We’re very happy with her.” Winning rider Opie Bosson, recently inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, said the feature race went accordingly to plan, aside from the riderless horse. “She was never going to get beat,” Bosson reported. “It felt like I was in a race by myself. She just went through her gears – just awesome to sit on.” “It was over at the 600 metre mark. The splits were coming and I had a lapful of horse.” “It was a very good field. I’m lucky David buys all these good horses for me to ride. It’s a privilege to have the job as stable rider.” “She’s very, very good and when she’s on her ‘A Game’ there’s very little that can beat her,” Bosson added. Imperatriz has now earned over NZ$1 million with 12 wins from just 17 starts for the Te Akau Invincible Empress Racing Partnership managed by Karyn Fenton-Ellis. She was purchased by Karyn’s husband, renowned Te Akau supremo David Ellis, for $360,000 from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. A daughter of Yarraman Park Stud’s champion sire I Am Invincible, Imperatriz is one of two winners produced by the stakes performed Shamardal mare Berimbau. A third placegetter in the Group Two Moonee Valley Fillies Classic, Berimbau is a half sister to Vinco, a recent winner of the $1 million Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast for trainer Tony Gollan. Winner: Imperatriz Breeding: I Am Invincible-Berimbau (Shamardal) Breeder: Raffles Dancers (NZ) Pty Ltd Race: Waikato RC Waikato Sprint G1 (1400m) Sold for: $360,000 Sale: 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Vendor: Bhima Thoroughbreds (As Agent) Buyer: DC Ellis Earnings: NZ$1,059,700 Owners: Te Akau Invincible Empress Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) Trainer: Mark Walker (Matamata) PIC – Trish Dunell. |
