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Bit Of A Yarn

~The Champions sprint...because...


holy ravioli

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9 minutes ago, holy ravioli said:

Wouldn't think so...has won Grp2 1200m races at Randwick and Rosehill beating quality fields.

Well your assessment of quality is always subjective.  One was a set weight race for 3yr old fillies.  The other SW +P for 3 yr olds where she was the lightweight carrying 54kg.

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9 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Well your assessment of quality is always subjective.  One was a set weight race for 3yr old fillies.  The other SW +P for 3 yr olds where she was the lightweight carrying 54kg.

Both were still Grp2 races...beaten include, GS winner Fireburn,Madam Pommery,Sunshine In Paris,Sheeza Belter.

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32 minutes ago, aquaman said:

Get on, $1.90 is a good price. She is ideally drawn to tuck in behind the speed, hook out at the 200 mark and monster them. This will be her best race this campaign. $1.85 Supa Tab.

Well she's tightened a bit but I wouldn't be taking those prices when you can still get $2 e.g. Ladbrokes.

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2 minutes ago, holy ravioli said:

Both were still Grp2 races...beaten include, GS winner Fireburn,Madam Pommery,Sunshine In Paris,Sheeza Belter.

But still age group form at SW + P.  Madam Pommery hasn't won in over a year.  Sheeza Belter the same.

Fireburn has won once at Doomben in May since it's 2yr old win in the Sires a year earlier.

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14 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

The "quality" of the races that In Secret has won.

I think Bella Nipotina is good value at $12.  

Well the reality is Group racing is for good stakes,and the fields are what they are....winning Grp Races is a common measure of 'quality' whether you accept it...or not.

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12 minutes ago, holy ravioli said:

Well the reality is Group racing is for good stakes,and the fields are what they are....winning Grp Races is a common measure of 'quality' whether you accept it...or not.

Yes but you don't consider Grp 1 wins at Moonee Valley or in NZ as being the same quality.

For example Imperatriz beat Roch N' Horse at Moonee Valley in March.  The latter won the Darley last year beating the likes of Nature Strip, Levante, Giga Kick, Rothfire, Bella Nipotina, Paule, Masked Crusader, The Astrologist.

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2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Yes but you don't consider Grp 1 wins at Moonee Valley or in NZ as being the same quality.

For example Imperatriz beat Roch N' Horse at Moonee Valley in March.  The latter won the Darley last year beating the likes of Nature Strip, Levante, Giga Kick, Rothfire, Bella Nipotina, Paule, Masked Crusader, The Astrologist.

Don't rate the NZ ones.

MV is fine.All I've said is that ALL of Imperatriz's Oz Grp  wins have been there.

Tomorrow will tell the story.

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1 hour ago, holy ravioli said:

Don't rate the NZ ones.

But her NZ Grp1 form has been subsequently stamped by those she beat.

Anyway my I believe she is up to beating this field which isn't a very string Darley by any means.  Last years field was an exceptional field.

The only doubts I have relate to the first time at the straight 6 and any track bias however the draw helps her cover that.  Opie is walking the track in the morning with another top jock so that will help.  Hopefully she settles quickly after the jump and isn't left to set the pace.  

Bella Nipotina and In Secret I like but they like to sit back.  

Haven't seen the speed maps so not sure who will lead.  Possibly Airman or Asfoora.

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It won't faze her': Imperatriz camp not concerned about straight

 

Imperatriz wins the Manikato Stakes.

 By Glenn McFarlane

05:35pm • 10 November 2023

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A strong exploratory track gallop at Flemington just over three weeks ago and a flawless spring campaign has given Te Akau Racing Australia assistant trainer Ben Gleeson confidence superstar mare Imperatriz won't have any issues at headquarters on Saturday.

 

In the biggest challenge for the ‘Tangerine Queen' to date, Imperatriz will tackle straight-track specialist In Secret and a host of leading contenders including Bella Nipotina and Asfoora in a crack edition of the $3m Champions Sprint (1200m).

 

READ | ‘I'm not saying she can't win, but I'm taking on Imperatriz'

 

Having completed a trifecta of stunning wins at the Valley this spring, the five-year-old Kiwi mare can further frank her claims as the best sprinter in Australasia with a victory.

 

Gleeson said the Te Akau camp had faith in Imperatriz's adaptability to tackle her first race at Flemington, but conceded they were mindful of the strong opposition.

 

READ | 2023 Darley Champions Sprint runner-by-runner tips, analysis

 

 

"She has had one gallop here (at Flemington)," Gleeson said of the October visit.

 

"We sat her off behind one and even though it was only one horse, we gave her a bit of race simulation. She peeled outside and changed legs, and did everything she does at the Valley.

 

"It won't faze her."

 

READ | Champions Mile runner-by-runner analysis, tips

 

Imperatriz has won seven of her past eight starts, with her only defeat this year coming in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick in March when she was run down as favourite by Artorius.

 

Her hat-trick of big wins at the Valley this season — in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes, the Group 1 Moir Stakes and the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (by a collective seven lengths) — have been breathtaking visually and on the clock.

 

 

Now she needs to tick off the Flemington box, and Gleeson believes she is in the right frame to do it.

 

Imperatriz is TAB favourite at $1.95, with In Secret a firming $4 second choice.

 

"She is doing everything right." Gleeson said. "This will be a two-week gap between runs for the first time. But we were thrilled with her work on Tuesday morning."

 

READ | Tony Brassel's top 5 for the Champions Stakes

 

The decision to bypass the Everest, where In Secret ran a slashing fourth to Think About It, and keep her in Melbourne was to add more black type to her already impressive breeding page. But a win here in the Group 1 (which would be her ninth overall) would be the most important of her career.

 

 

The daughter of I Am Invincible will jump from gate eight, while In Secret, who is unbeaten in two starts at Flemington, is in barrier five.

 

Asked if a win would make her the best sprinter in Australasia, Gleeson said: "We are hoping so, but In Secret is an amazing straight horse, so all respect to her."

 

READ | Tips from the big bookies for Champions / Five Diamonds day

 

"She is an obvious worry. We will keep one eye on her. But we have done everything possible to have our mare spot on for this race."

 

An international trip could be on the cards for Imperatriz next year but for the moment Te Akau is content with trying to first tick off the Flemington part of her CV.

 

"There have been a few passing comments about it (a potential overseas venture), but we have had our attention fixed on the Champions Sprint," Gleeson said.

 

In Secret's trainer James Cummings said he was confident his mare would make a race of it with Imperatriz on Saturday.

 

Cummings said: "In Secret has a faultless record down the Flemington straight, where Imperatriz will be tackling that challenge for the first time."

 

"She will no doubt love getting back to Flemington, where the barrier draw is less important. She gets an opportunity to follow the right horse with the right run and she'll let go with a top-class sprint again."

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On 11/10/2023 at 7:06 AM, aquaman said:

Get on, $1.90 is a good price. She is ideally drawn to tuck in behind the speed, hook out at the 200 mark and monster them. This will be her best race this campaign

Hey ! you're in the 2nd at Riccarton soon . neato. I've had a couple each way to say you know what you're doing 😂😂.

As for the big Darley Champions race at Flemington today . you've got me convinced.

First4 for the Flying Mares then .  Imperatriz 1, Espiona 2, Bella Nipotina 3, In Secret 4.

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