Black Caviar Lightning

(Group 1)

A NINTH Group 1 victory has come the way of the five-year-old I Am Invincible mare Imperatriz following the Black Caviar Lightning over 1,000 metres at Flemington last Saturday.

At set-weights in the eight-horse field she just had too many cards fall her way not to win. Jumping cleanly and into a smooth rhythm under Opie Bosson she found herself at the head of affairs alongside Private Eye.

With the pace far from infernal, Imperatriz powered home in 21.73 seconds for the final two furlongs making the task of running her down from behind near impossible.

The Al Maher gelding Private Eye kept her honest, handing her a neck on the line as the Extreme Choice mare Espiona ran on well for third.

“She’s a gem, really, to do it in the spring and come back and win like that, gun ride by Opie today too,” said trainer Mark Walker who flagged earlier in the week that he will shift full-time from New Zealand to Te Akau’s Cranbourne base in Melbourne as they ramp up their Australian focus.

“It was a really tactical affair, and he used the initiative, but it is a relief. Full credit to the second horse. He’s a really good horse and he stuck it to her today, so I think you saw two really good horses fight out an exciting finish.”

The path ahead for Imperatriz has not been laid out with the stable entertaining the idea of the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick in April, though in December Te Akau principal David Ellis did rule out a trip to Royal Ascot.

Imperatriz is now undefeated in six starts since March last year with a career record of 18 wins from 24 starts.

THE shock death of 11-time Group 1 winner Verry Elleegant when foaling down in Ireland for the first time has stunned race fans and the broader community in Australia and New Zealand.

The 2021 New Zealand-bred Melbourne Cup winner had been covered by Sea The Stars to northern hemisphere time once she was retired from racing after an unsuccessful four-start European campaign with Francis-Henri Graffard. Unfortunately, the foal also did not survive.

“It is incredibly sad that we pass on the news on behalf of the ownership group that Verry Elleegant has passed away due to complications giving birth to her foal,” said Chris Waller via a press release.

“We all saw the courage she had on the racetrack over many seasons, and she will never be forgotten by those close to her as well as the wider racing public who followed her career and loved her so much.

“She was in fantastic hands on a farm who did all they could for her, and we would like to thank them for their efforts, which we will forever be grateful for.”

THE Coolmore-owned two-year-old colt Switzerland, by Snitzel, won the Coolmore Pierro Plate over 1,100 metres at Randwick on Saturday to improve his record to two from two and have him placed on the second line of betting for the Golden Slipper on March 23rd. Heading the market for the Group 1 is Coolmore’s recent purchase Storm Boy. “He was in foreign territory there, being outside the leader, it wasn’t ideal,” said James McDonald of the Chris Waller-trained colt.

“But it adds another string to his bow. He feels extremely talented, and I just love how smooth he is. He takes everything in his stride, nothing really phases him.”

Switzerland was a A$1.5 million purchase by Tom Magnier at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

IN an unusual twist, Saturday’s winner of the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes, Kimochi has been entered into the Inglis Chairman’s Sale set for May 9th.

Owned by Leo To of Hall Of Fame Bloodstock the decision had been made last spring after the Brave Smash filly had posted a pair of Group 1 seconds in the Light Fingers Stakes and Caulfield Guineas.

“I wanted to let the marketplace know what my intentions were early,” said Mr To.

“That was a very good field today so she’ll come back in two weeks for the Surround Stakes at Group 1 level and race most of them again and hopefully she can win that and more Group 1s before the Chairman’s Sale.

“I will still sell her, I will stick to the plan, somebody is going to get very lucky when they buy her.”

Kimochi, trained by Gary Portelli, has started 10 times for two wins and eight placings, earning just shy of A$900,000 having been purchased for $21,000 at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale.

Kimochi’s next start will be likely be in the Group 1 Surround Stakes which takes place on March 2nd.

New Zealand

THE Karaka 3YO Million winner Orchestral underlined her class with an impressive win in the Group 2 Avondale Guineas at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Craig Grylls took no chances on the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Savabeel filly, improving from midfield approaching the bend, he took Orchestral six and seven deep as she rounded up the leaders before taking over with 200 metres to run.

As easy as you like, she posted a four-length win, justifying her $1.50 starting price to defeat the Swiss Ace gelding Just As Sharp with Interlinked, also by Savabeel in third.

At set-weights over 2,100 metres, the win strengthened her hold on New Zealand Derby favouritism with markets having her at an almost prohibitive $1.50 for the March 2nd NZ$1 million Group 1.

“It was a pretty special performance today. Looking at the head-on replay, it’s great to see that she was galloping lovely and true out on her own down the straight,” said co-trainer Roger James who has won the New Zealand Derby five times, two of which were with fillies, Tidal Light (1987) and Silent Achiever (2012).

“It was very pleasing to see that the race was run at a genuine pace. I’ve always been a great advocate for pace in a race, and it ensures that the best horse wins.

“I noticed that she was very strong past the line as well, which was another good sign from a Derby point of view.”