Taupo Group/Listed Trial Report

26 August, 2023

Taupo Group/Listed Trial Report

 

NZ Racing News reports (followed by our trialist by trialist report):

 

Imperatriz’s (I Am Invincible) impending trip across the Tasman is full of optimism following her pleasing hit-out at the Taupo trials on Wednesday.

The multiple Group One winner sat in just behind the speed for jockey Opie Bosson, who wasn’t lured into the strong tempo set upfront by Our Alley Cat (NZ) (Atlante) and Ngakau Hailey, who soon opened up several lengths on the field.

Imperatriz took chase down the straight and was able to eat into Our Alley Cat’s lead and closed the winning margin to two lengths.

“That one (Our Alley Cat) scampered away up front, but Opie was really happy with her,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains in partnership with Mark Walker.

“She hit the line well, had another good blow, and she is on track to kick-off on the 9th of September in Melbourne in the McEwen Stakes (Gr.2, 1000m).”

Bergerson has been pleased with Imperatriz’s spring build-up and is excited about her prospects in Melbourne, where she will race out of Te Akau’s newly established Cranbourne barn.

“We think she has strengthened up. Going on her trackwork, she has definitely improved,” he said.

“The feedback from Opie has been nothing but positive. At this stage of the prep, we are really happy with her, and we are looking forward to getting her over there (Melbourne).”

In the following heat, Aromatic (NZ) (Sacred Falls) beat home a fast-finishing La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) to win her 1100m trial, with Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) winning stablemate Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) finishing further back in the field.

“Aromatic was really good. We weren’t thinking the first leg at Hawke’s Bay (Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy, 1400m) but now we might reconsider,” Bergerson said.

“It is hard to get a line on Tokyo Tycoon. He is just a relaxed, laidback horse. He has just turned three and was against older horses, but I thought he was okay.”

In the third, and final, heat of the day, evergreen galloper Prise De Fer (NZ) (Savabeel) showed he still has plenty of petrol left in the tank when he finished fourth in his 1100m heat behind an impressive Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy).

“The old boy is showing he still has a zest for racing,” Bergerson said. “Nabba (Michael McNab, jockey) was really pleased with him. Hopefully he is in for a good spring as well.”

 

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Taupo trials, Wednesday 23 August 2023

Weather: fine, track: Heavy8, rail: true.

 

Heat 1 Open 1100 metres (2 lengths, 2 lengths 1:08.9)

 

Imperatriz (5 m I Am Invincible – Berimbau) – Opie Bosson; she secured a lovely spot in fourth, improved nearing the home turn and finished strongly for second. 

Fashion Shoot (6 m Savabeel – High Fashion) – Sam Weatherley; she got back, some eight lengths at the 600m, and held her place over a sprint trip. 

Belle Of The Ball (5 m Savabeel – Lady Tatia) – Kozzi Asano; she began awkwardly, was last and 10 lengths away at the 600m, but then pushed up and was good through the line near the rail. 

Mehzebeen (4 m Almanzor – Salkantay) – Warren Kennedy; she settled three back inner, got back eight lengths off the leaders at the 600m as the pace increased and remained there as staying type over a sprint trip.  

 

Heat 2 Open 1100 metres (head, 1 ¾ lengths 1:09.7)

 

Aromatic (7 m Sacred Falls – Vickezzchardonnay) – Warren Kennedy; she worked to the lead, travelled sweetly, had the advantage turning in and kept up a strong gallop to win. 

Tokyo Tycoon (3 g Satono Aladdin – All About The Coin) – Michael McNab; he began well to situate fourth on the outer, was into the clear on straightening and ran on to finish in midfield. 

Fierce Flight (5 g Flying Artie – First Bloom) – Sam Weatherley; he got back, 10 lengths off the leaders at the 600m, and ran home nicely near the rail for a staying type over a sprint distance. 

Campionessa (6 m Contributer – Bella Carolina) – Opie Bosson; she settled three back outer, was five lengths off at the 600m, but was held up in straight and went to the line with more to offer. 

 

Heat 3 Open 1100 metres (4 ¼ lengths, ¾ lengths 1:09.3)

 

Romancing The Moon (4 m El Roca – Underthemoonlight) – Kozzi Asano; she received a lovely run in the trail and finished off strongly for second. 

Prise De Fer (8 g Savabeel – Foiled) – Michael McNab; he was posted three wide throughout and kept finding plenty for fourth. 

Cognito (4 g So You Think – Lady Primrose) – Opie Bosson; he settled back between runners and ran on fine while holding his spot.  

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