Arrowfield Sprint-nominated Imperial Force set for Wyong test
By Mark Brassel
The in-form Bjorn Baker stable must have a big opinion of Imperial Force, who steps out in Wednesday’s Bishop Collins Accountants Handicap (1200m) at Wyong.
The Snitzel colt sizzled down the Rosehill Gardens straight to score in his first appearance since September for his new stable.
Leading Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker.Credit: Nick Moir
Jockey Tim Clark guided the three-year-old around the leaders, and he quickly pounced, putting three lengths on his rivals.
Baker must believe there’s more to come from Imperial Force with the horse a nomination for the $1 million group 2 Arrowfield Sprint on Day 2 of The Championships at Randwick.
And so do some of his supporters, with the horse firming for the Arrowfield Sprint from his opening TAB price of $201 into $26.
An interesting runner at Wyong is Sigiriya Rock who has his first Sydney start for the Chris Waller camp, after five races in Victoria.
The gelding has been a model of consistency with a win and four placings from his handful of appearances. The horse hasn’t raced since January but has trialled nicely at Rosehill.
That last race run was at Flemington when edged out on the line by Thedoctoroflove with that horse underlining the form by heading over the ditch to New Zealand and winning the group 2 Avondale Guineas before finishing second in the group 1 NZ Derby.
Jason Collett will partner the three-year-old, and he has an excellent book of seven mounts on the eight-race Wyong program.
Among those is imported grey mare Mistressofillusion. She is prepared by Chris Waller and is a dual winner in the UK.
The five-year-old was friendless in the betting last time but will be getting close to peak fitness following two runs this preparation.
Mistressofillusion caught the eye as a $31 chance when a closing fourth to Bacio Del Mist at Warwick Farm (2110m) and from barrier three today should receive a nice run in transit.
Collett also teams up with improving filly Literature Tycoon (PBL Handicap, 1600m) who was narrowly beaten after a freshen up at Newcastle when the odds-on favourite and will strip fitter.
BEST BETS
Race 6: (1) Imperial Force
Race 7: (9) Sigiriya Rock
BEST VALUE
Race 4: (2) Mission Giant
Race 5: (4) Mistressofillusion
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au