Expectations were high for I’mateez from the moment he debuted.

As the younger sibling of the illustrious 10-time Group 1 champion Imperatriz, I’mateez has thus far secured only two victories from seven outings, accompanied by three minor placings.

Under the guidance of Alex Rae at Cranbourne, I’mateez is set to pursue his inaugural city win in the Rod Johnston Handicap (1100m) at Flemington this Saturday.

Imperatriz herself achieved Group 1 success on the Flemington straight course, clinching the Champions Sprint (1200m) and the Lightning Stakes, and also secured a second placing in the Newmarket Handicap.

Rae is hopeful that a straight-line track will benefit I’mateez, who has been hampered by persistent issues throughout his seven-start career.

Following a first-up triumph at Geelong in April, Rae entered I’mateez into the Warrnambool May Carnival, but the experience proved disappointing.

“He’s got a few soundness issues which have pulled him up,” Rae said.

“Immediately after the race we thought the 1200 (metres) saw him out, but on reflection he wasn’t himself and it took us a good couple of weeks to get him over the run, physically.”

“He felt the ground. Nothing in particular, but he just jarred up badly which I know is ironic on rain-affected ground.”

“His knees, joints, he’s just not that well put together, but with maturity, he’s improving.”

“We thought the rain-affected ground was going to be the key with him, then we ran him on rain-affected ground, on a heavy deck, and he pulled up the same.”

“Originally, we wanted to avoid running him on hard track. I ran him first-up at Sale last campaign and he could barely walk for a week.”

“He’s got his issues, but we’ve ironed them out at the moment.”

Rae recently took I’mateez to Sale for an 800m jump-out last week, a workout the gelding won.

He indicated that I’mateez had made a good recovery from the hit-out, providing the stable with valuable insight into the gelding’s current condition.

“The straight is going to keep him nice and balanced, and he seems to be going really well,” Rae said.

“We took him down to Sale last week for a bit of a blowout and he’s ready to run, so at least we’ll see where he fits in the mix and whether he’s up to metropolitan standard at this time of the year.”

“He was a $200,000 yearling and probably a three-quarter-of-a-million-dollar horse if he didn’t have his ailments.”

“We’ve had to manage him, and the owners have been patient, but the talent is there.”

Consider backing I’mateez in the Rod Johnston Handicap at Flemington with leading Australian betting sites.