The spring carnival’s most prolific Group One winner Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) returns to work this week, but it will be a few days later before the mare’s potentially mouth-watering 2024 plans will be revealed.
Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis said on Tuesday that discussions will take place this weekend in New Zealand as to which of the countless local and international options make most appeal for the mare, who threatens to become Australasia’s premier sprinter next year after an unbeaten run over the spring in Melbourne.
“We’ll be deciding by early next week what we will do with her,” Ellis said.
“There are plenty of options and we’ll be having a chat over the weekend and making an announcement early next week.”
Ellis said that foremost in the decision-making process will be the mare’s welfare and the interests of racing.
“To do what’s best for Imperatriz and for the racing industry in general and that’s what we are thinking of,” he said.
Imperatriz clearly won all her four spring races, starting off with a spectacular victory over Giga Kick in the G2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at The Valley before G1 wins in the Moir Stakes (1000m), Manikato Stakes (1200m) and Champions Sprint (1200m) to complete her faultless campaign.
That trio of G1s took her 2023 tally to six as she won two G1 sprints in New Zealand earlier in the year before taking the William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley in March.
Royal Ascot scout Nick Smith has already confirmed that Imperatriz is “at the top of the list” to be invited to race over the Royal Ascot carnival in June.
The Group One A$1 million Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 17 is likely to prove crucial to any potential international as only one (Merchant Navy in 2018) of the eight G1 sprint winners to have won at Royal Ascot, did not win the Lightning .
Ellis said Imperatriz has done well during her short break.
“She had a two-week spell and then had a week in the water-walker and she’ll be back in the stable in the next few days,” he said.
