Imperatriz gearing up for Black Caviar Lightning Stakes return
Star sprinter Imperatriz will take a step towards a planned racetrack return at Flemington with a jump-out at Mornington.
Imperatriz, who is scheduled to make her reappearance in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington next month, had been entered for a jump-out at Cranbourne on Monday, but Ben Gleeson, the Melbourne-based assistant trainer for New Zealand conditioner Mark Walker, said that was as a precaution after a gallop between races at Cranbourne on Friday night.
Gleeson said Imperatriz would head to Mornington on Wednesday for her first jump-out ahead of another likely jump-out at Cranbourne to have her primed for her first-up assault.
The seven-time Group 1 winner galloped with stablemate Skew Wiff on Friday night under Michael Dee.
“She went there for a build-up piece of work and if we had decided not to give her a jump-out, we would have been happy,” Gleeson said.
“Mick got off her and said she felt bigger and stronger, which is a bit scary, so hopefully she proves that.”
Imperatriz went through the spring undefeated, winning her last three starts at Group 1 level, including the Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
In the lead-up to that contest, the stable was granted permission to gallop Imperatriz on the straight track, but Gleeson said he was unsure whether permission would be granted for a return trip ahead of the Lightning Stakes.
“We might be able to go for a gallop, but if everything panned out the way we hope, it probably won’t fit into our schedule,” Gleeson said.
“It’s a long trip across town for a gallop. It worked for us in the spring, but we’ll keep that up our sleeve.”
Skew Wiff is being prepared for a first-up tilt at the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 24.
Gleeson said the stable was trying to work out what weight the mare may get in the sprint, but he is happy with the she is coming to hand.
“She’s on track for two jump-outs and then kick off in the Oakleigh Plate,” Gleeson said.
More Racing News
Thrilling Scone Cup success for in-form Hellsing
Trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, Hellsing has entered excellent shape and notched his finest victory yet in the Listed $200,000 Arrowfield Scone Cup (1600m) held at Scone on Friday.On his 10th run in a preparation exceeding six months, Hellsing is thriving more than ever, building on a Royal Randwick...
Trainer Moloney sees ongoing enhancement in Hearcomesthestar
Improvement has marked every preparation, and John Moloney, the trainer, expects additional development from Hearcomesthestar in her upcoming appearance at Flemington.From 28 races, Hearcomesthestar has notched six wins and eight places, but Stakes grade has proven challenging for her.The approaching six-year-old earned a Listed placing at Geelong earlier this year,...
Searle family from SA chasing Melbourne Cup dream with Sir Kingsford
Gary and Nichole Searle, together with their daughter Brianna Callanan, form a South Australian training outfit with ambitions for Sir Kingsford in the Melbourne Cup.A victory in Saturday's Listed Andrew Ramsden (3200m) at Flemington earns the winner a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption ahead of the big November event.Nichole Searle sampled...
Scone's Luskin Star Stakes sees Estadio Mestalla with tough weight
Trainer Joe Pride questions the two-kilo advantage given to a Group 1 winner over Estadio Mestalla in the Luskin Star Stakes, but trusts the steady gelding to deliver full commitment.At seven years old, he notched his top triumph in the prior year's Listed Winter Stakes (1100m) and must shoulder 61kg...
Barrier 18 no hindrance to Sequista's Scone return
Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou believe filly Sequista has the class for black-type success despite her tendency to undermine herself.Having notched stakes placings in the 2024 Inglis Nursery (1000m) and run near the placings in Tempted's Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m), the three-year-old targets another milestone in Saturday's Listed Denise's...
Flemington awaits Concord Connie's next bold move
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield hopes her talented filly Concord Connie can replicate her recent feat before entertaining grander aspirations.In her third race appearance at Flemington on Anzac Day, Concord Connie notched a breathtaking win by six lengths in sharp time.This Saturday, the filly heads back to Flemington to compete against the...
Dark Jewel Classic in sights for Harlem Queen
While Harlem Queen didn't sustain her early promise from age three, trainer Nathan Doyle feels confident after her trouble-free lead-up that she might restore reliable results.She returns Saturday in the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) held at Scone, where despite preferring stamina tests ahead, barrier five positions her well for Doyle's...
Flemington run to decide Different Gravy's Queensland Derby chances
At Flemington, Different Gravy will put his Queensland Derby dreams to the test in upcoming action.Following a Listed triumph over 1800m at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day last year, trainer Henry Dwyer fixed his focus on the northern Derby.The Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm scheduled for May...
Abounding's scratch lets Napoleonic into Doomben 10,000 lineup
Confirmation has arrived that Napoleonic will join the Doomben 10,000 field, following Abounding's removal which opened the door for the colt in the elite Group 1 dash.Team members experienced a stressful seven days after the three-year-old earned second emergency status for the $1.5 million event, as reserve Beadman claimed a...
Snowden's stable loaded with top sprinters for feature clashes
Boasting a stable full of high-caliber sprinters primed for black-type action, trainer Peter Snowden enjoys the luxury of picking and choosing among several prestigious races.Just a couple of weeks earlier, Zealously claimed victory in the Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m), followed by King Of Roseau and Beadman grabbing interstate stakes wins...