Gun New Zealand mare Imperatriz blitzed her own track record in her barnstorming win in Friday night’s Moir Stakes 2023 ahead of more Group 1 targets in Melbourne this spring.
2023 Moir Stakes winner Imperatriz broke her own track record for her sixth Group 1 success. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The speedy daughter of I Am Invincible made it three-from-three at the tight Moonee Valley circuit letting down late to easily for her rivals in the Group 1 $750,000 Moir Stakes (1000m) under the lights.
She came off a win fresh in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes at the same track and trip winning by 2.5 lengths first-up.
The Mark Walker-trained sprinter was equally as dominant second-up saluting in a slick 56.47 seconds to break her own 1000m track record.
After balancing up on the short straight Imperatriz ($1.65F) ran over the top of the brave runner-up Asfoora ($8) for her one-length success to become a six-time Group 1 champion.
Third went to Queenslander Uncommon James ($8.50) who finished 2.25 lengths off the odds-on winner.
Jockey Opie Bosson flew in for the ride aboard the now six-time Group 1 winner and was thrilled to partner her for her second elite level success down under adding to the William Reid Stakes from the autumn.
“Credit to the team … she’s a privilege to ride,” Bosson told the media post-win.
“She just gives you an amazing feeling when she lets down… I was a little bit worried today, she was a bit fresh, she tried to buck me off going to the start but onwards and upwards I think.”
Walker confirmed plans to remain in Victoria with Imperatriz who has won her past three on the trot in Melbourne despite the $20 million prize on offer for Randwick’s The Everest slot-race on October 14.
“She’s so happy here I don’t see any sense on putting her on a float,” Walker, who now has stables based at Cranbourne, said.
“They’re prestigious races and she’s loving it down here.”
The mare’s next-up assignment will be a return to The Valley on Cox Plate Day, October 28, for the Group 1 $2 million Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m).
Imperatriz is already at a very short quote of $1.70 in all-in 2023 Manikato Stakes betting at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au.
From there she is likely to head to Flemington over the Melbourne Cup Carnival for the Group 1 $3 million Darley Champions Sprint (1200m) on November 11.
Pre-nomination 2023 Champions Sprints odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au have her as the $3 favourite and are available in full by clicking here.
2023 Moir Stakes Results & Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | IMPERATRIZ | Mark Walker | Opie Bosson | 5 | 56.5kg | $1.65F | |||
| 2 | 8 | ASFOORA | Henry Dwyer | Mitchell Aitken | 1.25L | 6 | 56.5kg | $8 | ||
| 3 | 3 | UNCOMMON JAMES | Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted | Damian Lane | 2.25L | 7 | 58.5kg | $8.50 | ||
| 4 | 2 | THE INFERNO | Cliff Brown | Jake Noonan | 3.25L | 8 | 58.5kg | $61 | ||
| 5 | 1 | ROTHFIRE | Robert Heathcote | Blake Shinn | 3.45L | 1 | 58.5kg | $5.50 | ||
| 6 | 4 | ZOUSTYLE | Tony Gollan | Damien Oliver | 4.45L | 3 | 58.5kg | $21 | ||
| 7 | 5 | GENERATION | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Mark Zahra | 4.85L | 2 | 58.5kg | $26 | ||
| 8 | 6 | ACROMANTULA | Daniel & Ben Pearce | Craig Williams | 9.35L | 4 | 58.5kg | $51 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
