Imperial Force (AUS)
2 c Snitzel – Ultimate Fever by Gold Fever
O: Coolmore, Wynaus, Westerberg, J Poulin, Sir P J Vela, Lynque, Woppitt Bloodstock, Peachester Lodge Pty Ltd, Rockingham Thoroughbreds, K Maclennan, Aristia Park Bloodstock Pty Ltd, C J Waller
B: Harp Thoroughbreds
T: Chris Waller
S: Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale V: Lime Country Thoroughbreds P: Coolmore Australia, $1.6 million
W: James Squire Maiden Handicap, 1250m, April 17, Canterbury
Imperial Force (Snitzel) lived up to his hefty price-tag when he broke his maiden at the second attempt in a 1250-metre event at Canterbury on Wednesday, leading home a trifecta for Arrowfield Stud’s headline sire, Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice).
Having finished second on his first start at Randwick-Kensington on March 27, the colt put his experience to good use, scoring an impressive 3.8 length victory over Monte Veebee, while Dark Arts came home a further 0.7 lengths adrift in third.
Imperial Force was bought by owners Coolmore from the Lime Country Thoroughbreds draft for $1.6 million at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, making him the most expensive colt bought at the auction last year and third overall.
Out of the Listed-winning mare Ultimate Fever (Gold Fever), Imperial Force is a brother to Group 3 scorer Sprightly Lass and stakes winner Le Cordon Bleu.
After the race, Waller said the colt would now be aimed at the Queensland carnival.
“My push would be towards Queensland for a big race or two up there,” Waller said.
“He’s a good colt and it has worked well for us in the past. It helps mature horses and give them confidence and they come back a bit race smart.
“If you just turn them out now after two runs and you expect them to run in the big races when they come back, they still haven’t learned enough.”
Waller confirmed the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) and JJ Atkins (Gr 1, 1600m) are among the options being considered in Brisbane.