Imported Stayers Will Need Early Speed In Winter Challenge

I’m Imposing and He’s Your Man are both set to contest the Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens and trainer Chris Waller believes that the imported stayers will need there to be plenty of early pace to be any chance of winning the $100,000 race.

I'm Imposing is taking winning form into the Winter Challenge at Rosehill Gardens this weekend.

I'm Imposing is taking winning form into the Winter Challenge at Rosehill Gardens this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart

He’s Your Man returned to the races, for the first time since he was gelded at the end of his summer preparation and ran home strongly to finish an impressive third behind Generalife in the Listed Civic Stakes (1350m) at Rosehill Gardens on July 5.

Waller said that He’s Your Man will be a better horse when he is given the chance to step-up in distance as he gets further into his 2014 Spring Racing Carnival, but believes that the Cape Cross gelding will be finishing strongly if there is early pace in the Winter Challenge this weekend.

“He’s Your Man is a good chance,” Waller said.

“Like I’m Imposing we have kept him nice and fresh and he will be looking for further.

“It has been four weeks between runs, but it is still early in the season and that is why I haven’t rushed him back to the races.

“There is a lot to like about his first-up run and he got home good.

“He is going to need a bit of speed on and if there is then he will get home well.

“He is certainly one to follow for the rest of the preparation, if Saturday is a bit short.”

I’m Imposing will be returning to Listed level after he was dropped back in class to win the Shoot Out Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 12.

Like He’s Your Man, I’m Imposing is at his best over longer trips than the 1500 metres he will run over this weekend, but Waller is expecting another consistent effort from the rising nine-year-old.

“He is coming off a slightly easier last start win, but gee he did a good job,” Waller said.

“He will need a bit of speed on to get the best out of him at 1500, but he is racing in terrific form.

“We have kept him nice and fresh for this race and Tye Angland sticks after winning on him last start.”

He’s Your Man on the fourth line of the 2014 Winter Challenge betting market with Ladbrokes Australia, while I’m Imposing is available at a quote of $7.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.