I'mateez set for Flemington straight test

From his initial career start, considerable expectations were placed upon I'mateez.

This gelding, the younger sibling of the formidable 10-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz, has so far managed two wins from his seven races, alongside three second or third placings.

Currently trained by Alex Rae at Cranbourne, I'mateez is aiming for his first metropolitan victory in the Rod Johnston Handicap (1100m) at Flemington this Saturday.

It's worth noting that Imperatriz demonstrated her class down the Flemington straight, securing victories in the Champions Sprint (1200m) and the Lightning Stakes, and also finished second in the Newmarket Handicap.

Rae is hopeful that the straight configuration at Flemington will prove beneficial for I'mateez, who has been plagued by minor health concerns throughout his racing career.

Following an opening-day win at Geelong in April, Rae took I'mateez to the Warrnambool May Carnival, but the trip concluded in disappointment.

"He's got a few soundness issues which have pulled him up," Rae said.

"Immediately after the race we thought the 1200 (metres) saw him out, but on reflection he wasn't himself and it took us a good couple of weeks to get him over the run, physically."

"He felt the ground. Nothing in particular, but he just jarred up badly which I know is ironic on rain-affected ground."

"His knees, joints, he's just not that well put together, but with maturity, he's improving."

"We thought the rain-affected ground was going to be the key with him, then we ran him on rain-affected ground, on a heavy deck, and he pulled up the same."

"Originally, we wanted to avoid running him on hard track. I ran him first-up at Sale last campaign and he could barely walk for a week."

"He's got his issues, but we've ironed them out at the moment."

Last week, Rae entered I'mateez into an 800m jump-out at Sale, a trial that the gelding won.

He stated that I'mateez has recuperated well from this effort, and it will provide the stable with an indication of the gelding's current racing readiness.

"The straight is going to keep him nice and balanced, and he seems to be going really well," Rae said.

"We took him down to Sale last week for a bit of a blowout and he's ready to run, so at least we'll see where he fits in the mix and whether he's up to metropolitan standard at this time of the year."

"He was a $200,000 yearling and probably a three-quarter-of-a-million-dollar horse if he didn't have his ailments."

"We've had to manage him, and the owners have been patient, but the talent is there."

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