Imperatriz Silences the Doubters with Lightning Stakes Victory

Imperatriz silenced her doubters with a cosy victory in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday.

Several pundits questioned the mare’s credentials after an underwhelming trial a couple of weeks ago, but that did not stop punters from backing her ahead of the race.

A flurry of activity result in Imperatriz being sent off the 1.60 favourite on online betting sites, and she duly delivered a sizeable winning return to her loyal fanbase.

She was pushed hard by market rival Private Eye during the race, but eased clear in the closing stages under jockey Opie Bosson to win by a head.

The victory was the ninth Group 1 success of Imperatriz’s career and cemented her status as the best sprinter in the southern hemisphere.

Trainer Mark Walker was naturally relieved after watching his star mare improve her career record to 18 victories from 24 starts. 

“Good horses they probably save their best for race day,” Walker said. “It was a lacklustre trial, it really was. But when we galloped her on Monday, we were really happy with her.

“She’s a gem, really, to do it in the spring and come back and win like that. Full credit to the second horse (Private Eye).

“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.”

Imperatriz is expected to be back in action in the William Reid Stakes next month at The Valley. Bookmakers rate her as a 1.80 shot to win the race.

Elsewhere, punters at Royal Randwick were also in clover as Fangirl powered past her rivals to win the Group 2 Apollo Stakes.

Jockey James McDonald had Fangirl positioned towards the back of the field before taking her wide around the home turn. She cruised to the front before winning eased down.

The performance drew comparisons with Australian racing legend Winx, who won this prestigious race on three occasions for trainer Chris Waller.

The 49-year-old, who also trains Fangirl, was delighted with the mare’s return to action but dismissed the notion that she is in the same league as Winx.

“Fangirl’s no superstar (like) Winx but in our stable she is pretty popular,” Waller said. “She’s come back very well but we won’t get too far ahead of ourselves.

“It’s good to see a few people actually appreciating who she is – that’s a good little feeling when they come back like that and they get appreciated by the crowd.”

Fangirl, who has now won eight of her 24 career starts and more than $7.5 million in prize money, appears to be improving with age.

The three-time Group 1 winner is likely to be aimed at the Verry Elleegant Stakes, before tackling the George Ryder Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Waller was also on target at Flemington, where Victoria Derby winner Riff Rocket produced a brilliant turn of foot to record an impressive victory in the CS Hayes Stakes.

Bookmakers were suitably impressed with the performance, installing the horse as the favourite for the Howden Australian Guineas in early March.

Jockey Craig Williams said Riff Rocket still has room for improvement and is looking forward to riding the horse on his next outing.

“To me he is still raw,” Williams said. “He still seems to wobble and float around even though he loves Flemington.

“The way he has started his preparation we were as kind as possible to him and to see him get the win. I’m sure that Chris had him nice and ready today with the big weight so that it wouldn’t hurt him too much.”