Rich Aussie Options for Star I Am Invincible mare Imperatriz

Media Release - Thursday September 1

Mark Walker might yet turn his back on a $A1 million bonus with his superstar mare Imperatriz in favour of an even more lucrative Australian prize.

The Matamata trainer was in awe of his star mare's 5-3/4 length win in last Saturday's Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa and reported that she had come through the race with flying colours.

Imperatriz winning the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) last Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell

Walker confirmed Imperatriz would next tackle the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday-week before going on to the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Stakes (1600m) at the same track on October 1.

It was thought Imperatriz would then head to the $A1 million Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) for fillies and mares at Flemington on October 31, for which connections would receive a $A1 million bonus if she were to win, having won last season's Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1600m) to become eligible for the bonus.

But Walker has left the door open to bypass the Empire Rose Stakes in favour of the A$10 million The Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill the same day.

"She'll run the first two legs at Hastings and then we'll either look at the Empire Rose Stakes or we're keeping an open mind towards the Golden Eagle," Walker said.

"It will be one or the other. They are both the same day but we'll just check the weather in Sydney and Melbourne.

"She was really good last week and we're really happy with her through the race too. She's a good mare, that's for sure."

Before that Walker will chase stakes features at Wanganui on Saturday and build towards spring features with a strong contingent at Te Rapa on Sunday.

Walker has El Roca three-year-old filly Romancing The Moon in the Listed O'Learys Fillies Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui at just her second start after an encouraging debut at Taupo last week.

Last-start Hawera winner Accidental Tourist will contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1360m).

"If it did happen to rain and the track became really testing, that would really suit them both," Walker said.

"A really wet testing track would bring them right into it. They are both well suited to the races on Saturday."

Walker will also step out Snitzel filly Rhetorical and Rubick filly Rubicon Crossing in the first two-year-old race of the season, the Dave Hoskin Carriers 800.

Advertisement

"They've had a couple of jumpouts, just against the older horses at Matamata. They haven't been to the trials but that doesn't worry me," Walker said.

"They are both precocious fillies. That race often comes down to luck. If you have any bad luck in running, it's game over. A lot will be about who gets the right run."

At Te Rapa, Walker has seven runners engaged, with Group One winners On The Bubbles, Amarelinha and Belle En Rouge clashing in the RMS Contracting 1200.

"Amarelinha and Belle En Rouge will both improve with the run and are looking for more distance but this is a nice kick-off point," Walker said.

"On The Bubbles disappointed at Ruakaka but horses can do that. We trialled him at Avondale but it was hard to get a line on him. The track was awful that day but if he was to get reasonable ground he might bounce back quickly."

Walker will target the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m) on October 8 with Amarelinha and Belle En Rouge and depending on how they run, they could back up in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings a week later.

"I'm not more sure On The Bubbles is a weight-for-age horse yet. We'll just maybe look more at the 1400m Group Three handicap (Red Badge Spring Sprint) on the last day at Hastings."

Markus Aurelius, Perfect Scenario and Aromatic will tackle the Wade Equine Coaches 1500.

"Markus Aurelius was good first-up but it might not be wet enough for Aromatic the way the forecast looks,” he said.

“Perfect Scenario goes from a midweek at Taupo to what really is Saturday company so he's got to lift again and whether he can or not, we'll find out.”

Walker's other runner is Devoted in the Maramarua Hunt Maiden Hurdle (2800m).

"He's probably more of a steeplechasing horse but he did go better last start. He doesn't really do bad ground so that might just be the concern with him," he said. - NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Sale
Yarraman Park’s champion sire I Am Invincible posted his 203rd winner of this season at Sale on Thursday and it came with a debut winning two year-old filly from the Price/ Kent Jr stable.
Mark Ford Joins Widden Victoria as Stud Manager
Widden Stud is delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Ford as Stud Manager of its Victorian farm at Riddells Creek.
Shooting to Win Relocating to Yarradale Stud
Yarradale Stud has purchased Group 1 racehorse and sire Shooting To Win to cover his first book at its Gidgegannup property this season.
Yes Yes Yes Filly Wins $100,000 Inglis Xtra Bonus
Passionate owner/ breeder Julia Ritchie is one of the key shareholders in Everest winner Yes Yes Yes, who recently relocated to Gooree Park Stud, and a filly she bred and sold called Mrs Goldberg collected a $100,000 Inglis Xtra bonus on Friday at Coffs Harbour.
Impressive New Winner at Goodwood for St Mark’s Basilica
Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had a number of high profile yearlings sold at the European sales last year and one of them was a filly from Angelic Light that made 600,000 guineas at Tattersalls October Book 2.
One to Watch – Kembla
The Myracehorse owners that braved the cold and damp conditions at Kembla on Friday were well rewarded when their Farnan gelding Ninja trotted up to win by a widening 11 lengths!
First Foal at Rosemont Stud
Rosemont Stud have reported their first foal in Victoria with a great video on their socials of the daytime birth.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday July 30
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Stewart honoured with Young Achiever at NZ National Breeding Awards
White Robe Lodge’s Jack Stewart was recognised with the Mary Lynne Ryan Young Achiever Award at Saturday’s National Breeding Awards in Karapiro, highlighting his growing impact on New Zealand’s breeding and racing landscape.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for last season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end this season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.