Imperatriz’s New Zealand work may almost be done and she could be set for richer targets in her homeland.
The outstanding mare blew away many of our best gallopers in the $300,000 BCD Sprint at Te Rapa yesterday, her only company for much of the home straight the riderless Mustang Valley, who had dropped Wiremu Pinn early in the race. Horse and rider were unhurt.
But lots of egos didn’t escape so easily as Imperatriz demolished her rivals to record the fourth Group 1 win of her career, helped by some cunning Opie Bosson tactics before the race even began.
The normally relaxed Bosson was extremely active behind the starting gates, riding Imperatriz in circles to get her mind on the job before she entered the gates, and it worked, the often-tardy beginner jumping well.
With the speed on and Mustang Valley disrupting the pattern of the race and creating gaps, Bosson had all the room he needed to get Imperatriz clear whenever he wanted and she bolted away from Babylon Berlin, with Levante closing late into third.