Imperatriz our Dual Group 1 Empress
Date: 17 Apr 2022
Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Imperatriz (3 f I Am Invincible - Berimbau, by Shamardal) was even more impressive winning the $220,000 Fiber Fresh NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) on Saturday at Te Rapa.
Imperatriz had drawn lofty praise from rider Michael McNab at her last two starts when recording a devastating five-length win in the Lisa Chittick Plate (1400m) in February at Matamata, and then leading home a Te Akau first four in the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) on Oaks' Day (19 Mar.) at Trentham, but he had to stand aside on this occasion as stable rider Opie Bosson took over.
Prior to the race, Te Akau Assistant Trainer Sam Bergerson said: "She's trained on great since winning the Levin Classic and looks fantastic. Barrier one, Opie (Bosson) on, she'll be very competitive and hopefully she can get there." Get there she did and, given the nature of such a prestigious event, her manner of conquering was of the highest order.
Advantaged as a three-year-old filly under the weight-for-age scale to carry 55.5kg versus 58kg for older mares, Imperatriz was suited by pattern of racing and utilized barrier one to trail before working clear early (500m). Once ignited in the straight her astonishing turn of foot had rivals gasping as she cleared out to win by five lengths.
"We went out with an open mind," said Bosson, after recording his 87thGroup one win.
"I thought I might lead, but there was enough space so I elected to take a sit. I was wary to get off the fence when I did. I hoped I hadn't gone too soon but I had a lapful of horse."
With a view to possibly targeting upcoming assignments during the Winter Carnival in Brisbane, Bosson added: "She relaxed good in the race and would probably get further, too. The stronger she gets the better."
Continuously sought in betting, Imperatriz paid $1.70 & $1.10 on NZ TAB tote and ran 1600 metres in 1:35.4.
The victory continued the dream resumption as Te Akau trainer for Mark Walker, who took over from Hong Kong bound Jamie Richards on 1 April, wrapping up the final two Group One races of the season with Maven Belle (Burgundy) in Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) and now Imperatriz.
"She's a high-class filly, always has been and even from her first (winning) start as a two-year-old you could see how good she was going to be. "She's getting more mature, and Opie took bad luck out of the equation when he popped off the fence. He went three wide, but he knew what he had underneath him and it's great to be back at Te Rapa on days like this.
"Opie's ridden horses like this all his life, so he knows what to do on the big days, that's for sure."
Before making further plans for Imperatriz, Walker said: "We'll see how she eats up over the weekend. We always do trot-ups on Monday afternoons at Te Akau, so we'll have to have a good think about it.
"She went to Riccarton in the spring (implying a lengthy season), so we'll just have a good think."
Winning the corresponding race last year with nine-time Group One winner Avantage (Fastnet Rock), victory by Imperatriz increased the Group One tally to nine this season for Te Akau, amidst 36 stakes' wins.
Purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale 2020, from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds, Imperatriz, which translates in English to Empress, is owned by Te Akau Invincible Empress Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).
Now the winner of seven from 10, she has added immensely to her value with two Group Ones alongside a Group Two and two Group Three victories.
By Champion Australian Sire (wins) I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), dam sire Shamardal (Giant's Causeway), who died in 2020, had progeny win 46 Group One races while also leaving his mark as an exceptional broodmare sire.
"We had an outstanding day and it's terrific what a great start Mark Walker has had and the way he has picked everything up again," said Ellis, after securing his 83rd Group One winner.
"He knows all the horses inside out already and that's why these blokes are such good trainers. They get inside the horses' heads and work out what's best to keep them happy and enjoying their work."
In the process of selling shares in yearlings purchased from March at Karaka, Ellis pointed out an interesting fact about Imperatriz.
"She was the last yearling to sell in her year," he said.
"She never sold fully until July when I had John Elstob and his fiancé Denise out to the farm. I told them I thought she was a really nice filly and they took the remaining 25 percent.
"It's been the case before, too, that some of the last shares to sell are in horses that reach good heights in racing, and we still have a few shares to sell again this season.
"A lot of the owners were back at the races today and it was terrific to see so many of them there. To see the thrill on their faces was so exciting to see, which makes it all worthwhile for Karyn and me.
"Also, Imperatriz was strapped by Hunter Durrant, a young guy that you'll hear a lot more of in the years ahead, and he too got a real buzz out of it. After looking after Imperatriz day and night and then being able to take her to the races and win a Group One race, it's a thrill that money can't buy.
"Hunter also strapped our other winner today, Cote de Beaune, a horse I bred with Jamie (Richards). He went a super race. Both were trained by Mark (Walker) and ridden by Opie (Bosson), a pair that has shared so much success together, and it's such an advantage having Opie onboard.
"The Breeders' Stakes was the only Group One race in New Zealand that Opie hadn't won before so congratulations to him on what is an outstanding achievement.
"It was great for the Chairman of the Waikato Racing Club, John Elstob, to win a Group One on his home track and it's what dreams are made of. He and Denise had a share in both of our Group One winners on Oaks' Day at Trentham, and have shared in six Group One winners in our stable this season.â€
Imperatriz was strapped by Hunter Durrant.
Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz