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Imperatriz the Queen of The Valley

3 minute read

Imperatriz has added a second win in the William Reid Stakes to her growing total of Group 1 wins.

IMPERATRIZ winning the 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley in Australia.
IMPERATRIZ winning the 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley in Australia. Picture: Racing Photos

Imperatriz kept her unbeaten record at Moonee Valley intact when claiming a second win in the William Reid Stakes

It prompted the mare's trainer Mark Walker to wish all Group 1 races were run at Moonee Valley. 

Imperatriz is a three-time winner at Group 1 level over Saturday's 1200m course having also won the Manikato Stakes last spring while also being the victor of the Moir Stakes (1000m). 

Sent out the $1.70 favourite under Opie Bosson, Imperatriz held off outsider Johnny Rocker ($71) by a short neck with I Am Me ($6.50) a further two lengths away third. 

Imperatriz has raced in Melbourne on eight occasions, registering seven wins, of which six have come at Group 1 level. 

Her solo defeat came in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) when Imperatriz was burdened with topweight of 58kg and was far better placed under Saturday's weight-for-age conditions. 

"It's a great thrill, especially after the Newmarket," Walker said. 

"She really dug deep that day and to come back here and do it at her favourite track, it is a bit of relief, really. 

"She got into a nice spot, and we haven't had much luck today on the fence, so I knew we'd be out from the draw. 

"It was great to come back from the Newmarket (and win), because that was a tough run and to show her fighting qualities today was brilliant. 

"She's extremely good and I'm thankful that she's in the stable." 

Bosson, who flies in from New Zealand to ride the mare, said after Imperatriz had been beaten in the Newmarket Handicap that she would be hard to beat at weight-for-age from that point forward. 

He was proven correct, although Imperatriz had to make a longer run that he had hoped. 

"I seemed to get in quite nicely behind Bella Nipotina and I thought she'd take me into the race, but she didn't," Bosson said. 

"I had to make quite a long run, to be fair to her, down the side and when we turned in and she gets on that right leg going down the straight she is amazing. 

"You can feel her picking up underneath you and once she balances up, she is all class. 

"I'm glad she came out there and won the way she did." 


Racing and Sports

Moonee Valley

Saturday, 23rd March 2024

8
16:15
(local)

3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes (G1)

Age: 3yo and up Type: OPEN
AUD $1,000,000
1200m TURF GOOD
8
16:15
(local)
AUD $1,000,000
1200m GOOD

3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes (G1)

Age: 3yo and up Type: OPEN


FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 5. IMPERATRIZ (AUS) 5yo M
I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS) - BERIMBAU (AUS)
OPIE BOSSON
MARK WALKER
$1.67
56.5kg
Te Akau Invincible Empress Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM)

Sales Information

2nd 4. JOHNNY ROCKER (AUS) 4yo H
JUKEBOX (AUS) - MARGENE (AUS)
RHYS MCLEOD
NICK RYAN
$67
58.5kg
J D Stumer, B M Wood, J J White, M J Stumer, M J Lee, P B Schimke, P G Trethowan, Mrs E Stumer, M K Virgo & Mrs K L White
3rd 7. I AM ME (AUS) 5yo M
I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS) - MEFNOODA (AUS)
BEN MELHAM
CIARON MAHER
$6.5
56.5kg
Dynamic Syndications Racing, Sheikh M B K Al Maktoum, Mrs J M Crooks, B & K Ramsey Family, P J Woollett, G Rassos, R J Gall, R G Dawkins, A W Robertson, A Cranes, A Mitchell, Mrs M Joyce, M G Joyce, S B Troughton, D P Lacey, M J Millner, S Finnigan & A D Vella

Sales Information

4th 6. BELLA NIPOTINA (AUS) 6yo M
PRIDE OF DUBAI (AUS) - BELLA ORFANA (AUS)
JOHN ALLEN
CIARON MAHER
$5
56.5kg

Sales Information

5th 2. THE INFERNO (AUS) 7yo G
HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR (IRE) - SPINA ROSA (AUS)
JAKE NOONAN
CLIFF BROWN
$101
58.5kg

Sales Information

6th 9. HYPOTHETICAL (AUS) 5yo M
PRIDE OF DUBAI (AUS) - FITNA (AUS)
MICHAEL DEE
A & S FREEDMAN
$21
56.5kg

Sales Information

7th 3. QUEMAN (AUS) 5yo G
MINT LANE (USA) - LANGREEN (AUS)
HARRY COFFEY
SHANE & CASSIE OXLADE
$31
58.5kg
8th 8. QUEEN OF THE BALL (AUS) 4yo M
I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS) - MISS DEBUTANTE (AUS)
BILLY EGAN
MICHAEL FREEDMAN
$101
56.5kg
9th 1. THE ASTROLOGIST (AUS) 7yo G
ZOUSTAR (AUS) - AQUADA (AUS)
DECLAN BATES
Leon & Troy Corstens
$51
58.5kg

Sales Information

10th 10. CYLINDER (AUS) 3yo C
EXCEED AND EXCEL (AUS) - CIRCULAR (AUS)
BEAU MERTENS
JAMES CUMMINGS
$9
56kg

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