Imperatriz ‘perfect’ as Group Ones near

[Wandering Eyes]

The pathway back to the races for sprinting star Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) is right on track according to assistant trainer Ben Gleeson.

Ahead of targeting the Gr.1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) to kick off this autumn, the champion galloper had a spin around Mornington on Wednesday in a jumpout, after an exhibition gallop at Cranbourne a few days earlier.

“We planned this about a month ago to get her here,” Gleeson said after Imperatriz finished a close second in the 900-metre heat.

“Just a trip away from home, she’s got a few kilos to strip off. It was perfect for where we are at in the prep, Mick (Dee) just sat quietly on her and asked her to improve without letting go and she just cruised to the line under her own steam.

“Mick came back in saying it was just perfect so we couldn’t be happier.”

Imperatriz will have an official piece of work on February 5 at Cranbourne in a tune-up for her first-up run down the Flemington straight.

“We’ll jump her out over 1000m there and that’ll be her last solid hit-out and then we’ve got a week-and-a-half ’til the race, so the timeline works out perfectly,” Gleeson said.

“Touch wood, everything’s gone to plan thus far, she looks dappled up and in incredible order, once she tightens up from the two jumpouts she’ll be pretty forward for the Lightning and exactly where we need her.”

Michael Dee said Imperatriz is continuing on an upwards trajectory as she gets closer to stepping out at the races for the first time since the Champions Sprint in November last year.

“She seems to have come back extremely well, certainly hasn’t gone backwards,” Dee said.

“She had an easy hit-out this morning and I think if I’d asked the question she would’ve won quite comfortably.

“Everything seems perfect at this stage for her.”

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