Imperium Impressive

Imperium (6 g Encosta De Lago - Ethereal, by Rhythm) made the perfect start to his southern campaign when coming from last to win the $25,000 Rating 75 1600 metres on Saturday 9 September at Riccarton.

A fresh-up winner on the same day two years ago, over 1600 metres at Te Rapa, Imperium had shown to be in great fettle when trialling on 1 August at Te Teko, and was able to capitalize on a genuine pace and small field in the race sponsored by Phil & Corin Murfitt and Ray & Jill Coupland.

Settling last of the eight runners, Imperium travelled easily under Michael McNab and suited by the long home straight he extended beautifully to snare victory near the line.

After sharing the pace, stable-mate Grazia (Savabeel), ridden by Te Akau apprentice Tegan Newman, fought hard in a very close photo for third/fourth/fifth with the narrowest of margins between them.

On improving Dead6 footing, Imperium ran the mile in 1:38.1, last 600m in 35.3, and paid a tote price of $6.50 & $2.00 on the NZ TAB.

Out of the 2001 Melbourne Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m) winner Ethereal, bred and raced by Sir Peter & Philip Vela, and trained by Sheila Laxon, Imperium was purchased as a yearling by Te Akau principal David Ellis from the Pencarrow draft and Karaka, and has now won four races for the Te Akau 2013 Breeding Syndicate.

During his campaign last spring at Riccarton, Imperium notched a win over 2100 metres on his way to finishing third in the both the Metropolitan Handicap (Listed, 2500m) and New Zealand Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) and Ellis said that a similar path would be followed this year.

“He had a really good campaign down here last year and he's come up well,” Ellis said.

“Daniel Miller is down there with the team and he was confident that Imperium would go a good race. He said he'd been working well, so he's done a great job.

“He's been a slow maturing horse and we're lucky to have such great owners who understand that not all horses reach maturity as three-year-olds and this is a horse that probably won't be fully matured until he's seven.”

Ellis said Imperium may not race again for three weeks, adding that the horse appeared right on target for the $250,000 New Zealand Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) on Saturday 18 November at Riccarton.

“I remember one day when I gave Dan (Miller) a hand to saddle Imperium, when he was an early three-year-old, he said to me ‘one day, I promise you this horse will win a really good race', and although it might not be today one day he will,” Ellis said.

On hand to oversee proceedings, Jamie Richards, who co-trains Imperium with Stephen Autridge, said:

“We thought he'd come back very well. His first trial was very good at Te Teko and he just had a bit of a day out when trialling at Taupo.

“He looked fit and well, great in the coat, and with a senior jockey back on today he ran right up to his looks.

“Dan and Tegan (Newman) are down here with the team, doing a great job, and full credit to them for having the horse ready first up today. It was also great to have local owners Aussie and Leslie Browne on course with us to celebrate the win,” he said.

Imperium was strapped by Daniel Miller.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz