Imperatriz sets sights on Manikato Stakes

Trainer Mark Walker has reiterated the intention to remain in Melbourne with Imperatriz after the mare bettered her own track record in winning the Group 1 Moir Stakes.

Imperatriz stopped the clock at 56.47 seconds in winning the 1000m sprint at Moonee Valley on Friday night, taking 0.21 seconds of the time she recorded in winning the McEwen Stakes on September 9.

Sent out the $1.65 dabble favourite under Opie Bosson, Imperatriz raced to a 1-¼ length win from Asfoora ($8) with Uncommon James ($8.50) a length away third.

Walker said Imperatriz would remain at her new stable at Cranbourne and be prepared for two more Group 1 races during the Melbourne spring – the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 28 and the Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington two weeks later.

That has effectively ruled the mare out of contesting the $20 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 14.

“The mare is so happy here and I don’t see any sense in putting her on a float,” Walker said.

“They’re prestigious races and she’s loving it down here.”

Walker said it was a great effort by the mare who was kept fresh by his team at Cranbourne to contest the 1000m sprint when she was possibly looking for something a little longer.

“It was a great effort tonight,” 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 (Gleeson) and the team at Cranbourne have done a great job, as well as all the team at Matamata as well.

“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.”

Bosson has now ridden Imperatriz in eight of her 15 wins and said the mare gives an amazing feeling when she lets down for her final sprint.

Friday night’s ride at Moonee Valley was a hit and run mission for Bosson who was catching an overnight flight back to New Zealand.

“I’m actually going to go and catch a plane now to try and get home for the Group 1’s tomorrow,” Bosson said.

“I was a little bit worried today as she was a bit fresh, and she tried to buck me off going to the start and as soon as you sit up on her she eases up on you so she’s pretty easy.

“You’ve 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.”