| Explosive sprinter Imperatriz made it back to back track record breaking victories when she rattled home to win tonight’s Group One AJ Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley. |
| Sent out the hot favourite, Imperatriz settled off the hot speed before producing her usual powerful finishing burst late in the race for another breathtaking win. So impressive was her turn of foot, she was able to lower the 1000 metre track record at Moonee Valley – a record she set at her most recent start in the Group Two McEwen Stakes. And while many of the region’s leading sprinters are targeting The Everest, connections of Imperatriz at this stage are resisting that temptation and look set to remain in Melbourne for the Spring Carnival. “It was a great effort tonight,” trainer Mark Walker said. “She hits that flat spot during her race but when she came up underneath Opie at the top of the straight, you could see what was going to happen.” “It is always a relief when you are second-up at the 1000 (metres) again but Ben and the team at Cranbourne have done a great job and all the team at Matamata as well, it is a big team effort.” Walker wasn’t too worried when the daughter of I Am Invincible was closer to the back of the field at the halfway mark. “Not really (concerned). We knew they’d run along a fair bit and Opie doesn’t panic a lot.” “It is great. This mare is keeping Opie’s weight down and keeping him in the saddle so she is very special to this stable.” “Manikato and the Champions Sprint (are the aims). The mare is so happy here and I don’t see any sense in putting her on a float. They’re prestigious races and she’s loving it down here,” Walker added. Imperatriz was purchased by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis for $360,000 from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The Bhima team presented the filly at the pin-up Queensland auction on behalf of breeder, Raffles Dancers. As it stands the outstanding five-year-old boasts the incredible race record of 15 wins from 21 starts – six of her wins at Group One level – and earnings of over $2.34 million. “She just gives you an amazing feeling when she lets down,” winning rider Opie Bosson noted. “I was a little bit worried today, she was a bit fresh, she tried to buck me off going to the start but onwards and upwards I think.” “Yeah she’s always been (quirky) like that, soon as you sit up on her she eases up on you so she’s pretty easy.” “Just to keep her mind on the job and off the barriers, all credit to the team at Te Akau and Mark Walker and David Ellis who buy some amazing horses that I’m just privileged to ride.” One of two winners for her dam Berimbau, Imperatriz is a daughter of Yarraman Park Stud’s champion resident sire I Am Invincible. Berimbau, a Sydney winner at two and Group placegetter at Moonee Valley at three, has also produced the recent Sydney winner Cabaca. As well as being a Group performer in her own right, Berimbau is a half sister to the Queensland based stakes winner Vinco – who earlier this year won the $1 million Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast. Winner: Imperatriz Breeding: I Am Invincible-Berimbau (Shamardal) Breeder: Raffles Dancers (NZ) Pty Ltd Race: MVRC AJ Moir Stakes G1 (1000m) Sold for: $360,000 Sale: 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Vendor: Bhima Thoroughbreds (As Agent) Buyer: DC Ellis Earnings: $2,341,974 Owners: Te Akau Invincible Empress Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) Trainer: Mark Walker (Cranbourne) |
