Te Akau Racing eyes Newmarket Handicap for Imperatriz should nine-time Group 1 winner attract a suitable weight
Te Akau Racing is keen for Imperatriz to return to Flemington for the Newmarket Handicap should the Lightning Stakes winner attract a suitable weight.
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Te Akau Racing has reserved a decision on Imperatriz’s next start until the likely field and weights for the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) become clearer.
Imperatriz, a $4.50 favourite with TAB for the $2m sprint on March 9 at Flemington, defeated Private Eye by a long neck in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes last Saturday at Flemington.
A return to Flemington is linked to the weight Imperatriz would be required to carry in the time-honoured sprint.
The minimum top weight for the Newmarket Handicap is 58kg.
Private Eye finished fourth last year as a 58kg top weight.
Should they both nominate, Private Eye and Imperatriz could be equal top weights.
âšœï¸ Imperatriz provides her Yulong-owned dam with another pedigree update as she wins her ninth G1, taking out the Lightning S. @FlemingtonVRC.
— Yulong Investments (@YulongInvest) February 17, 2024
Her dam, Berimbau, is in foal to #Pierata. Congratulations to @teakauracing and all involved ðŸ†#aworldofopportunitypic.twitter.com/pv2F8mx7Br
• Imperatriz shows champion qualities in Lightning Stakes victory
Based on class and consistency, 57.5kg – equivalent to male 59.5kg – is the minimum weight likely to be considered for Imperatriz.
Legendary mare Black Caviar carried 58kg to victory in the 2011 Newmarket Handicap.
Te Akau boss David Ellis said weight would be a defining factor in whether Imperatriz contested the Newmarket or returned to The Valley to defend her William Reid crown.
The TJ Smith Stakes on April 6 is the autumn goal for the nine-time Group 1 champion.
🟣 Bhima G1 Winner 🟣
— Bhima Thoroughbreds (@BhimaTBreds) March 24, 2023
Wow! Imperatriz (I Am Invincible x Berimbau) soars home to victory in the G1 William Reid S. @TheValley, her FIFTH G1 and first on Australian soil!
Congrats to @TeAkauRacing who purchased her @mmsnippets GC, @opie_bosson and her breeders @RafflesRacing! pic.twitter.com/6YsfSrw2Sc
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“We want to see what weight she gets and then we can make a decision,” Ellis said.
“I’d like to see the field and what she’s up against first.”
Imperatriz has feasted on weight-for-age Australian Group 1 sprints the past 12 months.
The five-year-old has carried 56.5kg to victory in the William Reid Stakes, Moir Stakes, Manikato Stakes, Champions Sprint and Black Caviar Lightning Stakes.
“She licked her bowl out last night, so we will make a decision next week when (trainer) Mark (Walker) goes back to have a look at her,” Ellis said.
“There is a couple of options, one is the Newmarket … we haven’t made up our mind.”
Imperatriz is a $1.80 favourite with TAB for the William Reid Stakes on March 23 and $3.50 market leader for the TJ Smith Stakes in Sydney on April 6.
Ellis reaffirmed the plan to race Imperatriz in Australia this year despite keen international interest.
“No, we’re pretty happy with Melbourne and our new stable and supporting racing in Victoria, so we’re pretty happy to stay there,” Ellis said.
PRIVATE EYE makes a statement in the SHORTS! 💥@PrideRacing@nashhot@ProvenTbredspic.twitter.com/OIxo712qBv
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 16, 2023
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Private Eye has piqued the interest of Royal Ascot scout Nick Smith.
“The horse is clearly consistent, Smith said at Flemington last Saturday.
“The profile of the horse is going up, third in The Everest (and) second in the Lightning … he’s top class.
“For us, of course, it is a shame they (Te Akau) have ruled out travelling (Imperatriz), but we completely respect that, it’s their decision.
“But in her absence, at this point in time, Private Eye appears to be the logical, he’s given her (Imperatriz) a proper workout … he’d be the target right now, but it’s early days.”
Originally published as Te Akau Racing eyes Newmarket Handicap for Imperatriz should nine-time Group 1 winner attract a suitable weight
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