Group 1 commitments for Opie Bosson in New Zealand have opened the door for Michael Dee to ride star Kiwi mare Imperatriz in next Saturday’s Group 2 McEwen Stakes at The Valley.
Bosson has ridden the mare in nine of her past 10 starts, during which the duo has scored three G1 triumphs including in the William Reid Stakes in March.
Bosson confirmed to Racing.com he will be required to ride at the Hastings meeting next Saturday, which includes the G1 Tarzino Trophy, with fellow Kiwi Dee the beneficiary.
The McEwen Stakes will see the likes of Giga Kick and What You Need also return to the races over the 1000-metre dash.
“I’ve been lucky enough to get the call-up,” Dee said.”I actually trialled against Giga Kick this morning and he looks pretty sharp and forward.
“But they are both very good horses and it would be great if we could knock Giga Kick off.”
Dee said he may get his first sit aboard Imperatriz in a track gallop at The Valley on Tuesday morning, but expects Bosson to be back in the saddle when she tackles the G1 Moir and Manikato Stakes later this campaign.
Imperatriz landed in Melbourne in the early hours of Tuesday morning and is being stabled at Cranbourne.
Back from Hong Kong, the 11-time G1-winning hoop is hoping Te Akau’s new Cranbourne base will provide him further opportunities in the future.
“I’d like to start doing a bit of work for them and try and get some rides,” Dee said.
“They’ve obviously got good horses and I don’t think they’ll be sending horses over that won’t be competitive in good races, so they are certainly a stable I am sure everyone would want to be involved with.”
Dee has eight rides at Caulfield on Saturday, including Aegon from a wide draw in the Memsie Stakes, but he is also looking forward to getting back aboard Coolmore runner-up C’est Magique.
“C’est Magique is first-up, her trials have been very good, but I would say she might possibly be underdone and whatever she does (on Saturday), she will improve,” he said.
“Little Brose probably needed the first-up run but he’s drawn wide but hopefully he has improved and he will put in a bold showing.”
