Imperatriz thriving ahead of first-up run
Te Akau Racing will begin a new chapter this weekend when Imperatriz becomes their first representative from their Cranbourne barn at The Valley.
The multiple Group 1 winner will have her first start of the spring in the Group 2 McEwan Stakes (1000m) on Saturday and she was readied for her assignment with a hit-out at the Melbourne track on Tuesday morning.
Te Akau Racing assistant trainer Ben Gleeson oversaw her work with jockey Mick Dee in the saddle, and he was pleased with what he saw.
“She worked off the back of one of Ciaron (Maher) and Dave’s (Eustace) horses, which we are very appreciative of,” Gleeson told Racing.com.
“She travelled up on the bridle and remained on that the whole time while he asked her to improve.
“She has come over off the back of two jumpouts, she is pretty fit. She had a nice gallop last Saturday with Mick (Dee) in the saddle at Cranbourne and she has done everything she can to please us.
“We will get her here (The Valley) on Saturday and see how she measures up.”
Gleeson said the daughter of I Am Invincible has settled in well to her new environment at Cranbourne and he is looking forward to seeing her compete against a small but select field this weekend.
“She has got a lovely box where she looks out over the track. Every morning and afternoon I come in she has her head out the window taking it all in,” he said.
“She has got a great temperament and is very professional in her attitude, so that makes I very easy.
“She is sharp enough fresh. In both of her jumpouts she rattled home over the shorter trip. It will be a small field so it will be a matter of where she settles. If she can be fighting it out with Giga Kick, we will be pretty happy.”
Imperatriz was victorious in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at her last start at The Valley and Gleeson is hoping it remains a happy hunting ground for the mare.
“She will have another two races after Saturday. She will probably come back for the Moir (Group 1, 1000m) and then the Manikato (Group 1, 1200m),” he said.
“At least we know she handles the track, so she will be coming back here and racing where she loves.”