Imperatriz is quickly becoming the darling of the Australian Turf and she will attempt to get closer to attaining that crown when she heads to The Valley on Saturday.
The Mark Walker-trained mare has been a revelation at the Melbourne track, winning her last three starts at the course, including the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m), Gr.2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) and Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m).
Te Akau Racing turned down the lucrative A$20 million carrot of The Everest (1200m) in Sydney earlier this month to remain in Victoria to chase further Group One glory, and on Saturday they will find out if their chosen path has paid off.
Imperatriz will line-up in the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) for which she has drawn barrier four in the seven-horse field.
The daughter of I Am Invincible has been opened a $1.45 hot favourite for the race, but Walker isn’t resting on their laurels.
"They don't give away Group Ones, especially in Australia, so we are respectful of the field,” Walker told Racing.com.
"She is just a darling and we are blessed to have her in the stable. They don't make them like this too often, so we have to enjoy it while it's there.”
Walker has been pleased with her progress since her Moir Stakes win and was happy with her work at The Valley on Tuesday morning prior to the barrier draw.
“She is ready to go, it’s just maintenance work really. Everything has gone really well so I am looking forward to Saturday,” he said.
Michael Dee, who rode Imperatriz to victory in the McEwen Stakes, was in the saddle on Tuesday, keeping it warm for regular rider Opie Bosson ahead of Saturday, and the expat Kiwi was pleased with her work.
“She felt super. She was out there to have a decent gallop but she just does it all on her own,” Dee said.
“If you were to give her a decent squeeze, she would be really pulling away from the galloping partner and almost be doing too much.
“You don’t have to ask too much of her and she just does her work on her own accord.
“She is going better than ever. She always gallops well with a partner, if she goes by herself she is a little mediocre, but when she has got something to chase down she really wants to do it and loves to go past.”