Star New Zealand sprinter Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) will campaign on the Australian side of the Tasman this spring in pursuit of further Group One glory.
The Te Akau Racing-owned mare, who has won five Group Ones from just 19 starts, was a brilliant winner of the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley in the autumn and principal David Ellis says more Melbourne successes are the focus of her upcoming preparation.
“Pretty much every race will be in Melbourne this spring,” Ellis said.
“We’d like to think that she’s at her peak for the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.”
A win in the Champions Sprint (1200m) down the Flemington straight would be a second-consecutive Kiwi victory after Roch ‘N’ Horse (NZ) (Per Incanto) claimed last year’s race for Mike Moroney.
Imperatriz could have two Group One victories in Australia to her name had it not been for a barnstorming run from Artorius to edge her on the line in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick in March.
Ellis said Imperatriz has oozed class from the moment he laid eyes on her.
“She’s always been a very good mare since the day I bought her,” he said.
“She won her first two starts very impressively, won a Group Two second start, she’s now won five Group Ones.”
