The widely travelled I’m Imposing could be the knock out horse of Chris Waller’s five runners in the Listed $100,000 Festival Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
I’m Imposing could be the knock out horse in the Festival Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
As well as I’m Imposing, Waller will saddle up last start winners Strawberry Boy and Heart Testa as well as Hoylonny and Multilateral.
I’m Imposing returns from a one run Melbourne Spring Carnival campaign that saw him finish a well beaten fourteenth behind Hucklebuck in the Group 1 $1m Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 8.
But Waller said to forget that run and expect a better showing back at Rosehill in a more suitable grade.
“Forget where he ran in the Emirates,” Waller said.
“Purposely took him to Melbourne to just get him away from home. Tye Angland is aboard, knows the horse well, drawn perfectly.”
“There will be a bit of speed on and he will be charging late, don’t underestimate him.”
I’m Imposing should get a sweet run in the second half of the field from barrier six with Tye Angland back in the saddle.
Angland takes over the reins from Damian Lane who rode the nine year old in the Emirates Stakes but he is no stranger having ridden him at his previous five starts including a win over 1600m at Randwick on July 12.
Waller gave I’m Imposing a brief let up after running eighth as favourite to Mr Chad in the Listed $150,000 XXXX Gold Hawkesbury Rowley Mile (1600m) at Hawkesbury on August 21.
Then, with Angland in the saddle again, the gelding ran a mighty race to finish second to Festival Stakes rival Monton over 1500m at Rosehill on October 25.
Waller is also expecting a bold showing from Strawberry Boy and Heart Testa who are both coming off last start wins.
Strawberry Boy has come through his win in the Listed $100,000 Lander Toyota Ladies Day Cup (1400m) at Hawkesbury on November 6 in good style when he beat Heart Testa but Waller says he will need plenty of luck from an awkward draw at barrier nine.
“Has an awkward gate but is a go forward horse. Needs a bit of luck and has come through his first up win in good style,” Waller said.
But on the other hand Waller expects Heart Testa to be able to make his own luck from gate eight and expects him to be hard to beat again after winning over 1350m at Rosehill on November 15.
“Up in the ratings a little bit, barrier eight, make his own luck, racing well and is fifth up from a long spell and will be hard to beat,” Waller said.
Waller said that Hoylonny and Multilateral will be better suited over more ground and are aiming towards the Group 3 $125,000 Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick on December 26.
Queensland Guineas winner Sir Moments heads the market order at $4.40 for the Festival Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of the John O’Shea trained Generalife at $4.80.
Strawberry Boy is next in the betting at $8 ahead of Heart Testa and Mouro at $9.50, Monton and Estonian Princess at $11 and Aomen at $13 while I’m Imposing is marked at $18 with Hoylonny and Multilateral the outsiders of the field at $51 each.
