Triple Group I winner Imperatriz was sent out a $1.50 favourite to win the Group II Westbury Classic (1400m) at Pukekohe on Saturday and favourite backers had few concerns as the four-year-old I Am Invincible mare cruised to a comfortable victory.
The Mark Walker-trained mare was given a text-book ride by Opie Bosson as she went on to score by a length over a game Our Alley Cat, with last year’s winner Dragon Queen finishing well for third.
Imperatriz carried 59kg topweight under the set weights and penalties conditions but proved too classy for her rivals and she will now be set for the Group I BCD Group Sprint at Te Rapa on February 11 where another clash with Levante awaits.
“It was a workmanlike win with 59 kilos and Opie didn’t knock her around. He took bad luck out of the equation when he popped off the fence at the 1000m and I was pretty confident from then on,” a satisfied Mark Walker said.
“I still think there is a bit of improvement to come looking ahead to the BCD Group Sprint.”
Walker opted to run the last start winner of the Group I Railway (1200m) at Pukekohe in preference to venturing to Trentham last week for the Group I Telegraph (1200m).
“I just thought a big trip down there (to Wellington) after two weeks was a bit to ask. Full credit to Babylon Berlin she really made her try hard that day in the Railway and I just felt the extra week would suit.
“Resisting the temptation is hard to do — a Group One compared to a Group Two — but the owners were supportive, and it worked out well.”
Walker indicated a trip to Brisbane in the winter was likely on the agenda for Imperatriz.
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.
Imperatriz has the overall record of 11 wins from 16 starts and is the best of two winners from Berimbau, a Group II placed half-sister by Shamardal (USA) to stakes-winner Vinco, who is also by Imperatriz’s sire I Am invincible.
The family also features Group winners Royal Courtship and Poor Judge as well as stakes-winner Proud Player.
Berimbau produced a colt by Capitalist last spring and was then covered again by I am Invincible.
