Poppy Just Perfect

Imperial Miss shows plenty of heart winning at Hawkes Bay (above)

Following a close fresh up third to subsequent winner Atacama (Pentire) at Ruakaka, Imperial Miss (5 m Shinko King - Nanset, by Bigstone) recorded a determined win in the $30k Trinity Hill Premier Mile (Benchmark 85 1600m) on Saturday Oct. 5 at Hastings.

Patiently handled by Te Akau trainer Jason Bridgman throughout her career, Imperial Miss (aka Poppy) won two of her first three starts before culminating her three-year-old season with a fine fourth in the NZB Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m) at Riccarton, and made it four wins from twelve starts when posting her latest success.

“It was a top ride and it was the ride that won it,” said Bridgman of the performance by jockey Matt Cameron atop Imperial Miss.

Bridgman was buoyed midweek when the barrier draw dealt Imperial Miss gate one and she never missed a trick once the stalls opened.

Into the trail, then three back when NZ Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner More Than Sacred (More Than Ready) took over, Cameron edged Imperial Miss off the rail at the 1000 metres and she travelled strongly in sixth passing the 600 metres. Once balanced up on straightening, she led at the 250 metres, found a one-length advantage and stuck to her guns to win narrowly but well.

“She had come on a great deal for her fresh up run and I thought it was a terrific ride from Matthew (Cameron),” said Bridgman. “He had her just off the pace from the nice draw, kept her off the fence and she travelled the best of anything around the home turn. She let down well, so it was very good.

“She can quicken up and then really attacks the line with a relentless sort of gallop. We would like to chase some stakes races with her later in the season, so it bodes well.

Matt Cameron said: “She jumped well from the inside draw and luckily I didn't dig her because she did pull quite hard, but I had the option to pop off down the back and it worked out alright. She got a nice drag into it and kicked away nicely.

“She's a top little horse and she's only going to get better and better,” said Cameron.

“She ran a great time, today,” said Cameron of the 1:34.97 posted by Imperial Miss for the 1600 metres on footing upgraded a race earlier from Dead4 to Good3.

Te Akau principal David Ellis went the extra mile to secure Imperial Miss as a yearling when outlaying $75,000 at the 2010 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale, from the draft of Trelawney Stud, for the Te Akau Imperial Miss Syndicate. Following her debut win in March 2012 at Te Rapa, Ellis had said: “$75,000 is a big price for a Shinko King (Fairy King), but I went to that price because I really liked her. It's terrific when you get a result like that and I can see this filly go on to win a lot more races”.

Happy "Poppy" team from left - Craig Forsyth, Karyn, Jason and Oli, Pip and Hannah Forsyth

Pictures credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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