G2 Winner Impendabelle - First Stakes-Winner for Impending

Tara Madgwick - Saturday December 3

A dual Group I winning son of Lonhro, Impending is on the board with his first stakes-winner thanks to his exciting Kiwi-trained two year-old filly Impendabelle, winner of the Group II Mode Technology Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m).

Impendabelle gets down to business as she takes out the Gr.2 Mode Technology Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) Photo: Race Images – Peter Rubery

Despite a few moments of concern when placed in tight quarters at the top of the Trentham home straight, rugged filly Impendabelle maintained her unbeaten record with a dogged performance .

The Tony Pike-trained filly had been an impressive first up winner at the venue back in October and went in to her first black type challenge on Saturday as a warm $2 favourite.

Her backers had plenty of reasons to worry however, as after beginning well, she drifted towards the rear of the eight-horse field, with rider Michael McNab searching for daylight entering the home straight as he found himself caught in traffic at a vital stage of the contest.

Angled into a tight gap, the daughter of Impending showed her mental toughness as she burst between runners to hit the front at the 200m before drawing away from runner-up Believe In Magic in the closing stages.

McNab admitted he wasn’t overly worried with the spot he found himself in when the pressure went into the race as he had faith in his mount’s ability to find her way through the pack.

“I got away clean enough but then they went quite quick so I thought I’d get some cover,” he said.

&ldq

Advertisement
uo;I ended up back but I was happy with the horse I was following who I knew would take me far enough into the race.

“The best thing about it was she burst through the tight run and when she balanced, she really sprinted and put them away.

“It may have even been too easy as she was all over the show, but only handy horses can do that as she was super.”

McNab’s father Chris was representing the Pike stable at the meeting and shared his son’s feelings on the way the race unfolded.

“It was a bit surprising she got crossed at the start, but we were on the back of the right horse and she is a good, tough filly,” McNab said.

“They don’t come too much better than this one.

“She wasn’t going to win by much at the 200m, but the closer they got to the line the further she got in front.”

The victory takes Impendabelle to the top of the qualifying table for the $1 million Doubletree by Hilton Karaka Million (1200m) which will be run at Pukekohe on January 21.

Impendabelle was an $80,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase.

Bred by the Smithies family under their Monovale Holdings banner, Impendabelle was an $80,000 purchase out of the Hallmark Stud draft during the Book 1 session at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka back in March.

She is a half-sister to Group III winner Cloudy and is the second stakes-winner from stakes-winning Exceed and Excel mare Applegate , who was purchased in foal to Impending  for $60,000 from the Godolphin draft at the 2020 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale by Andrew Williams Bloodstock. 

A half-sister by So You Think to Impendabelle will be offered as Lot 36 during the Book 1 sale at Karaka commencing on January 29 next month.

With his oldest progeny just three year-olds, Impending stands at a fee of $22,000 at Darley Victoria.

Advertisment

Race Result - Mode Tech. Wakefield Challenge Gr2 1100m

Trentham Track: Dead(6) Time: 1:05.71
1
Impendabelle
- 2f Impending (AUS) x Applegate (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: M J Mc Nab 55
2
0.8
Believe In Magic
- 2f Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Perform A Miracle (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: C J Grylls 55
3
3.3
Dapper
- 2c Shooting To Win (AUS) x Brianna (NZ) (Sudurka (AUS))
Tnr: J Benner & H Wynyard Rdr: C E Lammas 57
4
4.6
Orgullo
- 2f Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x World Of Gold (IRE) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: C R Isdale Rdr: Joe Doyle 55
5
4.9
Bella Ragazza
- 2f Tivaci (AUS) x Ramazzotti (NZ) (Per Incanto (USA))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: M J Dee 55
6
5.0
Platinum Designs
- 2c U S Navy Flag (USA) x The Tailors Niece (NZ) (Showcasing (GB))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: J K Riddell 57
7
5.5
Langmore
- 2f Almanzor (FR) x Ruthless Lady (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: J G Bary Rdr: L J Allpress 55
8
6.0
Bodacious Kate
- 2f Derryn (AUS) x Astrid (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: A C Baker Rdr: M Mudhoo 55
More Reading...
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.