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Imperatriz practiced at Moonee Valley to prepare for the big Moir Stakes race. Her trainer, Mark Walker from New Zealand, is trying to ensure she's rested enough for her first major race of the season.
Imperatriz will race at Moonee Valley on Friday night to try and keep her winning streak at that track going. Last season, she won the William Reid Stakes and then took a break before coming back to win the McEwen Stakes. Opie Bosson, who rode her to victory in the William Reid, will be her jockey on Friday.
Trainer Michael Walker flew in from New Zealand to watch her practice on Tuesday, which he described as "maintenance work."
“In a perfect world you would be going 1100 or if not 1200, so we’ll have to see Friday night if she is fresh enough,” Walker said.
Walker and Te Akau Racing have said no to offers from The Everest's slot holders to stay in Melbourne and compete for Group one awards. Imperatriz will participate in the Manikato Stakes at The Valley on October 28, followed by the Champions Sprint at Flemington two weeks later. According to Walker, the choice to remain in Melbourne was based on two factors.
“We weighed it all up and we just want to do the right thing by the mare,” Walker said.
“She’s just so happy at Cranbourne and it just makes sense keeping her in Melbourne as we didn’t want to be putting her on the float up to Sydney for nine hours when we don’t really need to.
“There’s three Group 1’s coming up. After Friday night, there is the Manikato Stakes on Cox Plate Day and then she’ll go to the Champions Sprint at Flemington, so she’ll just the four runs this prep.
“I do think she is better the Melbourne way, but it is hard to argue as her form is so good right-handed also, but I do believe and Opie does as well, that she is a little better Melbourne way around.”
"I haven't seen Imperatriz in person for about three weeks," Walker explained, "but I've been staying up to date on her appearance through technology."
“With modern technology you see videos all the time,” Walker said.
“She’s really well, her coat is starting to come out and she’s basically the same weight she was going into the McEwen.
“She seems to have bounced through that really well, so you don’t have to increase the workload, you almost have to decrease it to maintain her.”
According to Walker, Imperatriz will be racing without synthetic hoof filler, which was used as a precaution during the mare's trip to Melbourne to prevent any plate shifting during travel.