Impendabelle looking to return with Te Rapa Group 3 success
Impendabelle proved herself at the highest-level last campaign, and the talented filly is poised to strike in a fresh state in Saturday’s Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa.
The daughter of Impending undoubtedly brings the most outstanding form to the three-year-old feature, having won the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) as a two-year-old, and holding that form this season with a Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) crown, and a pair of Group One placings in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Levin Classic (1600m).
A deserved month in the spelling paddock followed the filly’s midfield-finish in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) in January, and she will have the services of an in-form Michael McNab when resuming on Saturday.
“She’s looking fantastic after a month in the paddock, she’s been pretty unlucky not to win a Group One this season, but she’s been very consistent,” Pike said.
“I’m very happy with how she’s come back, and she has drawn well (1), although 1200m may be a touch short of her best, from that gate she should be hard to beat.”
With softer tracks looming, the filly’s immediate plans are weather-dependant, however, Pike indicated she may be set for the Group 3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) at Arawa Park on May 11.
“A lot will depend on how track conditions hold here, we may go to the Rotorua fillies and mares weight for age race two weeks later, should she run well on Saturday,” he said.