| Superstar New Zealand based sprinter Imperatriz has won her first Australian Group One but the fifth of her illustrious career with a smashing win in tonight’s $1 million William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. |
| Affectionately known around the stables as “Berri,” Imperatriz produced a sweet performance for favourite punters when she sprinted hard in the straight for an easy length success. Regular rider Opie Bosson had the mare sitting about midfield during the early and middle stages before making his move, edging toward the leaders down the side of the track. When he asked for a supreme effort in the straight she firstly raced to the front and then held off the challengers in a commanding performance. The win was the first at Group One level in Melbourne for returning Te Akau trainer Mark Walker and he was a proud man in the winner’s stall post race. “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 noted. “I was away for quite a while, I was 11 years in Singapore, but to come back so soon and do it was very satisfying. My son Xavier is here tonight as well, so that’s even better.” “She’s just been trouble free this preparation and it was a fantastic ride of Opie’s as well – he just timed it perfectly.” “We had to make quite a long, sustained run, so full credit to the mare, she’s a beauty.” Walker said the mare would most likely return for a break at Te Akau Stud after taking her career record to 13 wins from 19 starts and over $1.7 million in earnings. The win provided proven big race jockey Opie Bosson with a huge buzz. “I think it’s only my second winner here at The Valley,” Bosson pointed out. “I was a little bit nervous going out there, but she did it all for me, she’s a wonderful mare.” “She’s just got an amazing turn of foot. She can get herself out of trouble and she can run out a strong 1400, so 1200 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 done the rest really.” “I sensed her (the runner-up), I gave her a couple behind the saddle and those ears pinged back and she gave again because she does tend to loaf a little bit when she gets in front by herself,” Bosson added. “But when she heard that other horse coming she gave it another crack.” Bosson praised all of the Te Akau team who each play their part in the Imperatriz journey. “It’s amazing. The whole team at Te Akau…it’s just a privilege to ride these horses. David Ellis buys so many amazing horses I get to sit on and I’ve got the dream job in New Zealand.” Imperatriz was purchased by Ellis for $360,000 from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds at the 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The Bhima team were presenting her on behalf of breeder Raffles Dancers. She follows in the hoofsteps of other Group One winners like Princess Coup, Tell a Tale, Sword of State and Costa Viva to have been purchased from the Gold Coast to then win at racing’s elite level for Te Akau. Connections will be hoping they can add another tomorrow with Campionessa contesting tomorrow’s Australian Cup at Flemington. The mare was an unlucky second at Group One level last time out in New Zealand. Imperatriz is a daughter of champion Yarraman Park Stud based sire I Am Invincible and from a stakes performed daughter of Shamardal. Her dam, Berimbau, was third in a Group Two Moonee Valley Fillies Classic behind Lumosty. She is also the dam of the Sydney winner Cabaca – also a Magic Millions graduate. Berimbau is a half sister to the multiple stakes winner and January’s $1 million Magic Millions Cup winner Vinco – a star for the Tony Gollan stable. Winner: Imperatriz Breeding: I Am Invincible-Berimbau (Shamardal) Breeder: Raffles Dancers (NZ) Pty Ltd Race: MVRC William Reid Stakes G1 (1200m) Sold for: $360,000 Sale: 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Vendor: Bhima Thoroughbreds (As Agent) Buyer: DC Ellis Earnings: $1,706,974 Owner(s): Te Akau Invincible Empress Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) Trainer: Mark Walker (Matamata) |
