“Imperatriz was very tough running second in the Newmarket Handicap last time, is unbeaten in four starts at Moonee Valley, and hopefully she is able to go back-to-back in the William Reid."
Ascend The Throne scored his first stakes scalp when triumphant in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa earlier this month, and the Savabeel gelding will look to double his Guineas haul when he heads to Ellerslie on Saturday.
The feature event on the programme at Taupo on Saturday came down to a battle between two of the best riders in the country with victory in the Harcourts Taupo Cup (2000m) going the way of Michael McNab on Mehzebeen.
On The Bubbles claimed his Karaka Million 2YO purse over 1200m, and the now five-year-old may have found his sweet spot back at the sprinting trip when making a winning southern debut at Ashburton.
Members of the Galloping Wekas Jazweka Syndicate threatened to tear down the Trentham grandstand after they witnessed their pride and joy Pennyweka stride clear in the final stages of the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m).