No Everest for Record Breaker Imperatriz

Media Release - Monday September 11

Imperatriz will remain a Valley girl this spring with Te Akau Racing ruling out a bid at the A$20 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 14.

She made an emphatic start to her spring campaign at The Valley on Saturday when taking out the Gr.2 McEwen Stakes (1000m), adding to her victory in the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at the Melbourne track March.

Imperatriz is set to stay in Melbourne - image Racing Photos

The A$20 million prizemoney on offer for The Everest has been a big carrot that has dangled in front of her connections for the last month and on Weigh In on Monday trainer Mark Walker ruled out a trip to Sydney this spring to tackle the lucrative race.

“We had a bit of a team talk – Dave (Ellis, Te Akau principal), Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) and I – and we do think it is in her best interests to stay in Melbourne with no extra travel up to Sydney,” Walker said.

“She is happy at our Cranbourne stable and we do think she is a little bit better left-handed, although arguably her form is still very good right-handed. But we are happy with her staying in Melbourne.”

Imperatriz’s eye-catching performance on Saturday wasn’t a surprise to Walker, who has been impressed with the way she has returned as a five-year-old.

“We were quietly confident because before she went to the Taupo trials Opie (Bosson, jockey) galloped her on the Friday morning and he came back saying ‘I think she is better than she was last year’,” Walker said.

Advertisement

“We went in thinking that for a while, Sam (Bergerson, NZ co-trainer) and I, and it is hard to believe that you could go much better than last year.

“We do think she is going that much better. She doesn’t have any niggles at the moment and she is just in really great form.

“It (Saturday’s win) was brilliant. Ben (Gleeson, Cranbourne assistant trainer) came over and spent a week with Sam and I and got to know Imperatriz, and she has just travelled over so well.”

With a line ruled through The Everest, Imperatriz is now earmarked to return to The Valley for her next two starts for the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) and Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) before a possible tilt at the Gr.1 Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on November 11.

“She is two for two at The Valley now and her next two runs will be at The Valley. It is pretty exciting times coming up for the whole team,” Walker said. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Trial Winner for Captivant
Captivant’s early promise was on full display at today’s Waipa trials when Capital Express stormed to victory in Heat 4. The Paul Pertab-trained 2YO colt impressed early, showcasing the speed and class expected of his G1 Champagne Stakes-winning sire in a performance that marked him as one to watch.
Finding the Perfect Match for Your Mare
Now that the first foals of the season have hit the ground at farms across the country, breeders are finalising stallion bookings and searching for the perfect match for their mares.
Wootton Bassett Colt Salutes at Sandown
Overdue for a win, talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Yamashita’s Gold shook off maiden status with a determined victory at Sandown on Wednesday for the Gavid Bedggood stable.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing More Stakes Success
Hello Youmzain (Fr) filly Platinum Diamond will put her undefeated Heavy track record on the line when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).
Too Darn Hot nomination realises $255,000 in August (Late) Sale
A nomination in exceptional young stallion Too Darn Hot has topped today’s Inglis Digital August (Late) Online Sale, selling for $255,000.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday August 26
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Al Riffa Aiming Towards Melbourne Cup for Australian Bloodstock
The exceptional qualities of Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) are such that he can get fast juveniles and also high class older horses over a distance and we are set to see a taste of it this spring as media reports suggest Australian Bloodstock have purchased his top class 5YO stallion Al Riffa.
I Am Invincible Mare Crowned Champion Australian Sprinter
New Zealand Horse of the Year Imperatriz had a near perfect season in Australia last term and was duly crowned Champion Sprinter at the Australian Horse of the Year Awards in Adelaide on Tuesday.
10 Time G1 Winner Imperatriz Retired
Australasia’s darling of the turf, Imperatriz, has been retired from racing.
Imperatriz Crowned NZ Horse of the Year
Te Akau Racing collected top honours at the 2024 New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards on Sunday evening, which was headlined by Imperatriz, who was named Horse of the Year, while the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson partnership were Trainer of the Year.