In an ominous sign for her rivals, Imperatriz has gone to a new level since her blistering Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) win at The Valley last month, according to assistant trainer Ben Gleeson.
The track record-breaking sprinting star had a look at Flemington on Tuesday morning in preparation for a likely tilt at the G1 Champions Sprint (1200m) and was ultra-impressive.
“She was fantastic,” Gleeson said of the piece of work.
“It was a very smooth morning out there, Sans Doute led up Imperatriz … Imperatriz sat three to four lengths off her, I was standing in the clock tower and as they went past me Imperatriz just let rip.
“I haven’t seen her work as impressive as that and she’s put in some good gallops. We had a super morning out.”
Mick Dee was in the saddle for the Flemington hit-out and was equally as impressed with the seven-time G1 winner’s work.
“He was pretty chuffed I think with the way she worked … he’s a man of simple words and he just said, ‘Wow, she’s going as good as I’ve known her to be’,” Gleeson said.
“In the week-and-a-half since her win, she’s really recovered well but she’s come on plenty, she’s now dappled up all over.
“I think we’ll get to Cox Plate Day and she’ll just look incredible. We’ll take her to Moonee Valley on Tuesday for Breakfast With The Stars and give her one little hit-out there and she’ll be spot on.”
Despite lucrative offers, Te Akau and trainer Mark Walker opted to bypass The Everest and remain racing Imperatriz in Victoria, a move which will be more than justified if she can add another G1 win to her already daunting page.
