Snitzel Colt Imperial Force Looks Headed to the Top

Mark Smith - Wednesday April 17

High-priced yearling Imperial Force may have earned a trip to Queensland for Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes after leading home a 1-2-3 finish for Snitzel in the James Squire Maiden Hcp (1250m) at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Beaten into second place when an odd-on favourite behind Hezdarnhottoo at Randwick-Kensington on March 27, Imperial Force made no mistake at start two.

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Ridden by Nash Rawiller for Chris Waller, Imperial Force travelled in the slipstream of the leader Catoggio. Eased out while still under a stranglehold, Imperial Force accelerated like a horse with an exciting future.

A $1,600,000 buy for Coolmore Australia from the Lime Country Thoroughbreds draft at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Imperial Force defeated the $900,000 Snitzel colt Monte Veebee by three and three-quarter lengths with the $900,000 Snitzel colt Dark Arts three-quarters of a length back in third.

“It was a tidy effort, I’m impressed,” Waller said.

“He is a well-bred colt in a good ownership group and the Huddy colours to the fore. He looks to have a bright future.

“Race experience is a big key. Once a horse knows how to race I don’t mind chancing the arm. It was a great ride by Nash; he even got a bit of cover turning for home.  

“I’ll speak to the team and see what they are keen to do. I might push on to Queensland for a big race or two up there.”

Imperial Force a $1,600,000 Inglis Easter yearling

Bred by Harp Thoroughbreds, Imperial Force is a brother to Group III winner Sprightly Lass, Listed winner Le Cordon Bleu and stakes-placed Stratosphere, a successful stallion at  Grenville Stud.

He is the fifth winner for the Listed Gosford Slipper winner Ultimate Fever (Gold Fever) who has been pensioned.

Imperial Force is the seventh 2-year-old winner of the season for Snitzel. 

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Race Result - James Squire Mdn Hcp 1250m

Canterbury Track: Good(4) Time: 1:13.47
1
Imperial Force
- 2c Snitzel (AUS) x Ultimate Fever (AUS) (Gold Fever (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: N Rawiller 58
2
3.8
Monte Veebee
- 2c Snitzel (AUS) x Snogging (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: R & L Price Rdr: A Hyeronimus 57
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $950,000
Seller: Silverdale Farm, Avoca
Buyer: KPW Bloodstock
3
4.5
Dark Arts
- 2c Snitzel (AUS) x Zasorceress (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Tommy Berry 57
4
6.1
Great White Shark
- 2c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Arabian Gold (AUS) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
5
7.1
Catoggio
- 2c Written Tycoon (AUS) x Palazzo Pubblico (AUS) (Conatus (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Regan Bayliss 58
6
8.6
Malbork Castle
- 2g Castelvecchio (AUS) x Flidais (AUS) (Timber Country (USA))
Tnr: Richard Litt Rdr: J Ford 57
7
9
Vaafee
- 2c American Pharoah (USA) x Al Anood (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Tyler Schiller 56
8
9.1
Irama
- 2c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Twilight Royale (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Zac Lloyd 57
9
10.9
Willie Oppa
- 2c Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Roz (GB) (Teofilo (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tim Clark 57
10
16.3
Sound Waves
- 2g Microphone (AUS) x Solid Foundation (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Ms A Turner Rdr: Ms B Panya 53.5
11
20.3
Marvel Man
- 2g Stratum Star (AUS) x Peggy Dawn (AUS) (Dawn Approach (IRE))
Tnr: Craig Carmody Rdr: C Schofield 56
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