Kiwi trainer Ben Foote finds an odd solace in Babylon Berlin’s nemesis Imperatriz having followed her to Melbourne for tonight’s A$1 million William Reid Stakes at The Valley.
The speedy mares have dominated the major northern sprints this summer, Imperatriz winning the Railway and BCD Sprint at Te Rapa, with Babylon Berlin second in both.
Tonight they try for an elusive and incredibly valuable Australian Group 1 sprint win in the same 1200m race, where expat Kiwi mare Roch ‘N’ Horse is seeking her third Australian major sprint victory.
The form of Roch ‘N’ Horse, Levante and even Imperatriz, second in the Canterbury Stakes in Sydney last start, is the most consistent Group 1 sprint form by New Zealand campaigners in years, and Foote says Imperatriz’s form and price for tonight’s race boosts his confidence with Babylon Berlin.
“When you see Imperatriz is favourite for this race, it actually gives me some confidence because we have been very competitive with her over 1200m back home,” said Foote from Melbourne.