Chief Stipe Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 Imperatriz captures Aussie Group 1 Edward Sadler@edward_sadler24 March, 2023 Imperatriz wins the William Reid (Image: Racing Photos) After coming agonisingly close at her first attempt, classy Kiwi mare Imperatriz secured her first Australian Group 1 triumph in the William Reid Stakes at The Valley on Friday night. The daughter of I Am Invincible was run down in the final bounds by Artorius at her prior start in the G1 Canterbury Stakes, but this time weaved her way through the field and held off the late charge from Bella Nipotina to bring up her fifth victory at the highest level. In doing so, Imperatriz also provided her internationally renowned trainer Mark Walker with his first group one win in Melbourne. “We’ve been a bit unlucky in group ones, especially in Melbourne over the years, so it was great to get that win tonight,” Walker said. “She’s just been trouble-free this preparation and it was a fantastic ride of Opie’s as well and he just timed it perfectly. “We had to make quite a long, sustained run, so full credit to the mare, she’s a beauty.” Winning rider Opie Bosson admitted to some pre-race nerves and was happy to defer the credit to Imperatriz for the performance. “She’s just got an amazing turn of foot,” Bosson said. “She can get herself out of trouble and she can run out a strong 1400m, so 1200m wasn’t going to be too much of a problem. “There was a lot of pressure, I got back probably a couple of spots further than I wanted to, but I ended up getting a nice drag into the race and she did the rest really.” Walker added that Imperatriz would now head back across the Tasman for a well-deserved rest. WATCH: Imperatriz’s William Reid Stakes win Fellow New Zealander Mike Moroney was pleased with the way his mare Roch ‘N’ Horse closed off to finish third, in what was her best performance thus far this preparation. “We were always worried about the draw, we got further back than we wanted but that was the speed of the race and that’s where we ended up,” Moroney said. “She was really brave, put her head right out and tried, which was good.” Moroney noted that a trip interstate to Sydney or Adelaide could be on the cards for his dual group one winner, while he didn’t rule out the possibility of her heading to Royal Ascot. Imported galloper A Case Of You caught the eye with his effort to run on for fifth at what was his first start in Australia for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr). “Sensational first up run,” Kent Jnr said. “That’s how we saw it, we thought from the wide draw, we’d have to come back and find some cover. It was a very messy race, and we were in an awkward position on turning, but really delighted to see him get out wide late and he was the best closer in the race. “Obviously, he was entitled to do so on a hot tempo and he did no work early, but still, for an entire who’s first up in Australia, off a break, off a couple of poor last couple of runs, to see him hit the line strong, Mark Zahra said it was the perfect first up run, so we can really build from that now.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
After coming agonisingly close at her first attempt, classy Kiwi mare Imperatriz secured her first Australian Group 1 triumph in the William Reid Stakes at The Valley on Friday night. The daughter of I Am Invincible was run down in the final bounds by Artorius at her prior start in the G1 Canterbury Stakes, but this time weaved her way through the field and held off the late charge from Bella Nipotina to bring up her fifth victory at the highest level. In doing so, Imperatriz also provided her internationally renowned trainer Mark Walker with his first group one win in Melbourne. “We’ve been a bit unlucky in group ones, especially in Melbourne over the years, so it was great to get that win tonight,” Walker said. “She’s just been trouble-free this preparation and it was a fantastic ride of Opie’s as well and he just timed it perfectly. “We had to make quite a long, sustained run, so full credit to the mare, she’s a beauty.” Winning rider Opie Bosson admitted to some pre-race nerves and was happy to defer the credit to Imperatriz for the performance. “She’s just got an amazing turn of foot,” Bosson said. “She can get herself out of trouble and she can run out a strong 1400m, so 1200m wasn’t going to be too much of a problem. “There was a lot of pressure, I got back probably a couple of spots further than I wanted to, but I ended up getting a nice drag into the race and she did the rest really.” Walker added that Imperatriz would now head back across the Tasman for a well-deserved rest. WATCH: Imperatriz’s William Reid Stakes win Fellow New Zealander Mike Moroney was pleased with the way his mare Roch ‘N’ Horse closed off to finish third, in what was her best performance thus far this preparation. “We were always worried about the draw, we got further back than we wanted but that was the speed of the race and that’s where we ended up,” Moroney said. “She was really brave, put her head right out and tried, which was good.” Moroney noted that a trip interstate to Sydney or Adelaide could be on the cards for his dual group one winner, while he didn’t rule out the possibility of her heading to Royal Ascot. Imported galloper A Case Of You caught the eye with his effort to run on for fifth at what was his first start in Australia for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr). “Sensational first up run,” Kent Jnr said. “That’s how we saw it, we thought from the wide draw, we’d have to come back and find some cover. It was a very messy race, and we were in an awkward position on turning, but really delighted to see him get out wide late and he was the best closer in the race. “Obviously, he was entitled to do so on a hot tempo and he did no work early, but still, for an entire who’s first up in Australia, off a break, off a couple of poor last couple of runs, to see him hit the line strong, Mark Zahra said it was the perfect first up run, so we can really build from that now.”
Chief Stipe Posted March 24, 2023 Author Share Posted March 24, 2023 Should have been two straight in OZ but she monstered them in this Group 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gammalite Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 5 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Should have been two straight in OZ but she monstered them in this Group 1. Getting a bit greedy Chief ? got run down the first time so had her chance. very nice win last night though. Are you winning with the next kiwi filly PROWESS today Rosehill, in the Vinery R7. ? or going to get monstered by the local Pavitra lol 😉 ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gammalite Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 We just saw the answer Chief.😆 Prowess Did All the Monstering with Monster Win 🏆. A Cox Plate target now ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted March 27, 2023 Author Share Posted March 27, 2023 On 25/03/2023 at 2:41 PM, Gammalite said: Getting a bit greedy Chief ? got run down the first time so had her chance. JMac stuffed the ride up in the first one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted March 28, 2023 Share Posted March 28, 2023 Here is hoping that naughty staff member that stuffed up TT wasn't sent over to Aus with this Aus G1 wining mare! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted March 28, 2023 Author Share Posted March 28, 2023 1 hour ago, Huey said: Here is hoping that naughty staff member that stuffed up TT wasn't sent over to Aus with this Aus G1 wining mare! Are you inferring a malcontent staff member nobbled both? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted March 28, 2023 Share Posted March 28, 2023 11 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Are you inferring a malcontent staff member nobbled both? I go by media releases only CS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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