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

Visit the profile page for I Am Invincible

I Am Invincible in upcoming sales:
Advertisment
More Reading...
Go Racing Hoping for Big Day at Randwick
New Zealand syndicator Go Racing will be out to plunder the riches on offer at Randwick on Saturday, with their silks to be represented in two of the meeting’s key races.
MRC locks in leadership as Tanya Fullarton named CEO and Jonathan Munz joins as Vice Chairman
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has confirmed two major leadership appointments, naming Tanya Fullarton as Chief Executive Officer and leading business person, owner, and breeder Jonathan Munz as Vice Chairman.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Four heats for juveniles run at Warwick Farm on Friday and we saw winners by Trapeze Artist, Tassort, Exceed and Excel and first season sire Wild Ruler, while from a pedigree perspective a Godolphin filly that ran second was the obvious highlight.
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.
First Foal of Melody Belle a Winner!
Two time NZ Horse of the Year and a 14-time G1 winner, Melody Belle was a big ticket purchase for Yulong at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale when  they paid $2.6million for the daughter of Commands and she produced her first winner for them at Cranbourne on Friday night.
Yulong Purchase into Star Kiwi Trained Filly
Yulong has purchased a 50 percent share in outstanding prospect Well Written with welcome news that she will remain in the care of Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh for the rest of her racing career.
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.
Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale Concludes - Aussies Spend Up
The Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training & Yearling Sale concluded on the fifth and final day of a sale that has been plundered by Australasian purchasers who spent over 3million guineas on no fewer than 25 lots.
VRC Oaks contender headlines November (Early) Online Sale
An exciting opportunity is presented in the Inglis Digital November (Early) Online Sale next week when a share in a runner bound for Thursday’s $1m G1 VRC Oaks is offered.
Sires With Winners - Friday October 31
Here is the full list of 45 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.