High-priced yearling Imperial Force may have earned a trip to Queensland for Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes after leading home a 1-2-3 finish for Snitzel in the James Squire Maiden Hcp (1250m) at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Beaten into second place when an odd-on favourite behind Hezdarnhottoo at Randwick-Kensington on March 27, Imperial Force made no mistake at start two.
Ridden by Nash Rawiller for Chris Waller, Imperial Force travelled in the slipstream of the leader Catoggio. Eased out while still under a stranglehold, Imperial Force accelerated like a horse with an exciting future.
A $1,600,000 buy for Coolmore Australia from the Lime Country Thoroughbreds draft at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Imperial Force defeated the $900,000 Snitzel colt Monte Veebee by three and three-quarter lengths with the $900,000 Snitzel colt Dark Arts three-quarters of a length back in third.
“It was a tidy effort, I’m impressed,” Waller said.
“He is a well-bred colt in a good ownership group and the Huddy colours to the fore. He looks to have a bright future.
“Race experience is a big key. Once a horse knows how to race I don’t mind chancing the arm. It was a great ride by Nash; he even got a bit of cover turning for home.
“I’ll speak to the team and see what they are keen to do. I might push on to Queensland for a big race or two up there.”
Bred by Harp Thoroughbreds, Imperial Force is a brother to Group III winner Sprightly Lass, Listed winner Le Cordon Bleu and stakes-placed Stratosphere, a successful stallion at Grenville Stud.
He is the fifth winner for the Listed Gosford Slipper winner Ultimate Fever (Gold Fever) who has been pensioned.
Imperial Force is the seventh 2-year-old winner of the season for Snitzel.
