Trainer Kris Lees is optimistic that Imposant can finish her racing career with a victory at Royal Randwick this Saturday, despite her impending retirement.
Lees indicated that Imposant is “going well” heading into what could be her final race, the Toyota Forklifts Handicap over 1400 metres.
“It seems like Imposant has been up forever but she handles the ground (heavy 10 rating on Friday),” Lees stated. “Her work this week has been good, she’s going well and this is a winnable race. “She will be going to stud in the spring so this could be her last run but I think we have found the right race for her.”
TAB Fixed Odds are favouring Imposant at $23, a generous price considering the rising six-year-old mare previously secured a second place behind stablemate Lord Of Biscay in the Provincial-Midway Championships Final over the same Randwick 1400m course earlier this season.
Lees will also field consistent sprinter Power Of The Brave in the Kieran Moore Handicap (1000m) at Randwick. Despite carrying top weight of 62.5kg, apprentice Shannen Llewellyn’s 3kg claim provides an advantage.
Power Of The Brave is priced at $8 by TAB Fixed Odds for his return, following a campaign that concluded in March with consecutive second placings at Eagle Farm and Gold Coast. The chestnut gelding achieved three wins in his last preparation, including a victory at Randwick over 1000m late last year.
“He’s a really genuine, on-speed sprinter,” Lees commented on Power Of The Brave, who has amassed seven wins and 10 placings from 31 starts, earning over $360,000 in prizemoney. “He’s come back in good order after his spell and this is the right time of year to have him up and racing. He’s ready to go on Saturday.”
Furthermore, Lees anticipates that the promising two-year-old Rumdabar ($3.90 favourite) will be a strong contender in the Elite Sand And Soil Handicap (1400m).
Rumdabar finished last of 11 on debut behind Why So Hard at Randwick last month but subsequently delivered an impressive win at Newcastle over 1300m on a heavy track.
“Rumdabar had ‘big’ excuses at his first start when he was trapped four-wide throughout,” Lees explained. “But he was very good at Newcastle and he’s a young horse with ability. At this time of year, I don’t think the transition from provincial to city class is that wide and he should be hard to beat again.”
For those keen to get involved, consider exploring the latest racing odds available at Australian betting sites.