| Outstanding filly Imperatriz gave her rivals a galloping lesson when capturing a second Group One victory in the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa. |
| Sent out the favourite after beating the three-year-olds last start in the Group One Levin Classic, Imperatriz romped home in today’s feature – a five length margin despite being eased down by rider Opie Bosson. Her rivals, headed by recent Group One winner Coventina Bay, weren’t given a look in – the daughter of I Am Invincible proving much too good and making it seven wins from just 10 starts. Trainer Mark Walker was all smiles after the race – an early Group One feature for the horseman who is back in charge at Te Akau after a successful stint in Singapore and Jamie Richards’ recent move to Hong Kong. “She’s a high-class filly and from her first start as a two-year-old you could see how good she was going to be,” Walker said. “She is just getting more mature and Opie took bad luck out of the equation when he popped off the fence and went three wide.” “He knew what he had underneath him as he has ridden horses like this all of his life and he knows what to do on the big days.” Walker said he would see how Imperatriz pulls up before deciding on her immediate plans. There’s a chance she could head to the Brisbane Winter Carnival, or a break with more New Zealand features likely. The win was the 87th career Group One for rider Opie Bosson – but before today the only New Zealand Group One he hadn’t won was the Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes. “We went out with an open mind and if I lead, I lead, but they were going quick enough that I could take a sit,” Bosson said. “I was pleased that I could get off the fence when I could, although I did wonder if I had gone too soon, but I had a lot of lower rated horses in front of me and wanted to clear them as soon as I could.” “I had a lapful of horse and I think she could even get further as she relaxes so well and will get even stronger as she gets older,” Bosson added. Master judge David Ellis purchased Imperatriz for $360,000 from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Ellis has sourced a number of Group One winners from the Gold Coast sale ring over the years – horses like Princess Coup, Tell a Tale, Sword of State and Costa Viva. His latest star Imperatriz is the first winner, from two to race, for his dam, the two-year-old winning Shamardal mare Berimbau. Before retiring to stud Berimbau earned valuable black type with a third placing in the Group Two Moonee Valley Fillies Classic. Raced by Godolphin, Berimbau was purchased by Imperatriz’s breeder Raffles Racing for $180,000 at the 2016 National Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast. Last year Peter Tighe’s Magic Bloodstock and Associates purchased a Fastnet Rock half sister to Imperatriz for $300,000. She’s named Cabaca and the two-year-old has trialled twice for Chris Waller. Imperatriz is a three quarter sister to the smart Tony Gollan trained Vinco – an eight time winner and $372,000 earner. Winner: Imperatriz Breeding: I Am Invincible-Berimbeau (Shamardal) Breeder: Raffles Dancers (NZ) Pty Ltd Race: Waikato RC NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes G1 (1600m) Sold for: $360,000 Sale: 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Vendor: Bhima Thoroughbreds (As Agent) Buyer: DC Ellis Earnings: NZ$499,700 Owners: Te Akau Invincible Empress Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) Trainer: Mark Walker (Matamata) |
