Jamie Richards sent out the hot favourite for the Group II Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day in Snitzel colt Sword of State, but he had to settle for third place with victory in the race going to his stablemate Imperatriz, a Magic Millions sourced daughter of I am Invincible.
An easy winner at Otaki when making her debut on October 26, Imperatriz made it two wins in as many starts.
She was tenacious at the finish for Daniele Johnson holding off the late charge of Stormy to win by a head with Sword of State more than four lengths back in third.
“I was so excited to ride this filly today,” said Johnson, who leads the jockeys’ premiership and is inching closer to her century with 93 wins this season.
“I galloped her here at Ellerslie a couple of weeks ago and she gave me such a good feel that day.
“She’s progressed so well. She takes everything in her stride. She just gives me the feel of such a good horse.
“I knew Sword Of State was going to be hard to beat, and Tony Pike’s horse had a big reputation, but this is such an exciting filly. I just knew she’d run well.”
Imperatriz was bought for $360,000 at Magic Millions from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft by David Ellis and was bred by Raffles Dancers Pty Ltd. She is the second foal and first winner for Berimbau, a Group II placed Shamardal (USA) mare from the family of Group II winner Royal Courtship.
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Bhima Thoroughbreds will offer the current yearling from Berimbau, a filly by Fastnet Rock, as Lot 96 at the 2021 Magic Millions.
Imperatriz is the 62nd stakes-winner for Yarraman Park’s champion sire I Am Invincible.
