Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Race-Day Recap
The Te Akau Racing-owned Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) silenced any doubts that first-up performance in the G2 McEwen S. was a fluke, with another sensational and course record-breaking performance in the G1 Moir S.
The star status of Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) continues to ascend, with the Simon Miller-trained mare remaining unbeaten in Melbourne by taking out the G2 Stocks S. on Friday night.
New Zealand’s Champion Sire Proisir sired his 14th stakes winner when the Mike Moroney-trained Coeur Volante (NZ) took out Friday’s G3 Scarborough S.
The first four across the line in the G2 Stutt S. were the progeny of second-season sires, with the winner, Griff, a son of Trapeze Artist, backing up his Listed Exford Plate victory with a courageous display.
Grahame Begg’s exciting 3-year-old Maharba (Pride Of Dubai) bounced back at Moonee Valley on Friday night with a superb victory in the Xtreme Freight Plate.
Imperatriz peerless in the Moir
Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) - the queen in the tangerine was once again breathtaking in claiming the G1 Moir S. with Opie Bosson in the saddle on Friday night in front of an excited Moonee Valley crowd.
In the process, the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained star broke her own track record, clocking 56.47s for the 1000-metre journey when she flew home to beat a very courageous Asfoora (Flying Artie) by 1.25l, while Uncommon James (Cable Bay {Ire}) finished third.
It was the 15th overall victory and sixth at the elite level from 21 starts for the daughter of Australia’s reigning Champion Sire I Am Invincible, who is raced by Te Akau Racing.
“It’s just an amazing feeling when she lets down. It was sort of a worry today (Friday) as she was a bit up on her toes,” Bosson told Racing.com.
“I think it’s onwards and upwards for Imperatriz.”
Connections of Imperatriz after winning the G1 Moir S. at Moonee Valley | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Walker was in awe of the mare, “She’s very special to the whole stable.
“It was a great effort tonight (Friday). She loves Melbourne, and I see no sense why I should put her on a float to Sydney; she’ll head to the Manikato and then the Champions Stakes.”
“She (Imperatriz) loves Melbourne, and I see no sense why I should put her on a float to Sydney; she’ll head to the (G1) Manikato and then the (G1) Champions Stakes.” - Mark Walker
Moonee Valley proves no issue for Miller's Jewel
Star Western Australia-trained mare Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) conquered Moonee Valley in Friday’s G2 Stocks S., breaking a course record in the process.
Surprisingly, the daughter of Siyouni (Fr) found herself closer to the pace than expected, with Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) doing her best Vo Rogue (Ivor Prince {USA}) impression to bring the favourite undone.
However, Amelia’s Jewel ran her down with visual ease. The success gave her trainer, Simon Miller, and jockey, Damian Lane, confirmation. The Valley circuit holds no fear as a potential tilt at a Cox Plate will be announced in due course.
Amelia’s Jewel’s owner, Peter Walsh, told Racing.com that he would sit down with Miller and Lane in the coming days to decide where the star mare’s ultimate spring goal will lie.
Connections of Amelia's Jewel after winning the G2 Stocks S. at Moonee Valley | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Lane shared, “I had to ask Amelia’s Jewel for a bit of an effort as Pride Of Jenni made a real race of it,” he told Racing.com.
“I was just glad I had her in a position to strike, as I don’t know whether I would have caught the leader coming off the pace.
“She’s handling Melbourne, and we will sit down to decide the next steps. I still think she’s got a bit more to come, so exciting times.”
“She’s (Amelia's Jewel) handling Melbourne, and we will sit down to decide the next steps. I still think she’s got a bit more to come, so exciting times.” - Damian Lane
Coeur recipient of Shinn special
The Mike Moroney-trained Coeur Volante (NZ) (Proisir) received a gun ride by Blake Shinn in the G3 Scarborough S.
The 3-year-old filly was a winner at Sandown-Hillside over 1300 metres before heading for a spell, with the Scarborough S. just her third career start.
Finishing second behind Coeur Volante was Inhibitions (Zoustar), while Bossy Nic (Nicconi) finished third.
Moroney confirmed to Racing.com that the filly would head towards the G1 Thousand Guineas in November.
“It was a great ride by Blake Shinn. He doesn’t do too much wrong.
“But it was an excellent effort by the filly.
Connections of Coeur Volante (NZ) after winning the Listed Scarborough S. at Moonee Valley | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“She was purchased in New Zealand, and we gave her two trials there. We knew by the second trial she was pretty good, and we bought some of the other people out and sent her to Australia.
“We repurchased her to aim her at the G1 Thousand Guineas, and that’s what we'll head towards.”
“We repurchased her (Coeur Volante) to aim her at the G1 Thousand Guineas, and that’s what we'll head towards.” - Mike Moroney
Coeur Volante was a NZ$90,000 purchase by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Ballymore Stables from the draft of Prima Park at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
The filly is the 14th stakes winner for the Rich Hill Stud-based Champion Sire Proisir.
Griff all courage in the Stutt
Griff has been a stand-up performer for his second-season sire Trapeze Artist when he became his first stakes winner in the Listed Exford Plate at Flemington last start, and on Friday night at The Valley, he became Trapeze Artist’s first Group 2 winner. In the process, the colt put his hand up for the G1 Caulfield Guineas in October.
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and ridden by Mark Zahra, the colt defied a late charge from Verdad (Justify {USA}) and the filly Autumn Angel (The Autumn Sun), while another son of Justify (USA) Limburg held on for fourth, underlying the strength of the second-season sire ranks.
“He’s versatile, which will take him a long way,” Zahra told Racing.com.
“He’ll obviously go to the Caulfield Guineas now, and I think the mile will be his go.”
“He’ll (Griff) obviously go to the Caulfield Guineas now, and I think the mile will be his go.” - Mark Zahra
Griff was an $80,000 purchase by Kavanagh Racing Stables from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Maharba shows quality
On face value, Maharba was disappointing first-up down the Flemington straight after showing bundles of talent as a juvenile. However, Grahame Begg kept his optimism with the son of Pride Of Dubai and put the performance down to the play of the track rather than a reflection of Maharba's ability.
Begg’s belief was well-placed with Maharba, who beat a competitive group of fellow 3-year-old colts and geldings to claim the Xtreme Freight Plate.
Ridden by Michael Dee, the gelding held off Brave Mead (Brave Smash {Jpn}) and Armed Forces (I Am Invincible). It was the second victory from five starts for Maharba, who claimed the Listed Talindert S. and placed in the G3 Pago Pago S.
“We couldn’t believe how the race at Flemington unfolded; it gave me a few doubts initially that he hadn’t come up,” Begg told Racing.com.
“However, we assessed the race after, and there were three horses in the market who drew on the same side and never came into the race. He prepped up well and has continued to do so, and tonight (Friday) looked like a good opportunity.
“We might be back here for the Red Anchor.”
