Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Written by Kristen Manning
Trainer Chris Waller was clearly taken by the impressive win recorded by the well-related bay Imperial Force (Snitzel) at Canterbury on Wednesday, declaring that the seven figure colt has big things in store.
Sent out an odds-on favourite at his Kensington debut late last month, Imperial Force lost no fans with a game second and, having come on nicely from that run, he was able to prove a class above his rivals at his second go.
Beginning well from the outside gate, he was nicely rated by Nash Rawiller who had him nicely positioned outside the leader. Taking over near the 150-metre mark, he showed a impressive turn of foot racing clear to win by 3.75l.
“He did have to do a bit of work from that gate and there was enough tempo in the race - but he can run the sort of sectionals that make it look easier than it actually was,” Rawiller reported.
“He took a lot of benefit from his first up run and really stamped himself as a nice horse today - there are a lot better races for him.”
Chris Waller agreed... “I was impressed, simple as that!” he said.
“It was a pretty tidy performance by a well bred colt.”
“I was impressed, simple as that! It was a pretty tidy performance by a well bred colt (Imperial Force).” - Chris Waller
Asked if the outside barrier draw concerned him, Waller noted that he would be less inclined to run with a first starter but with the experience of a run he was, “happy to have a throw at the stumps and go forward.”
“It was a great ride,” he continued - “he even got a bit of cover turning for home. He peeled off and was just too good.”
“He looks to have a bright future and my push would be towards Queensland for a big race or two up there.”
“He (Imperial Force) looks to have a bright future and my push would be towards Queensland for a big race or two up there.” - Chris Waller
The sixth 2-year-old winner from the 15th crop for his Arrowfield Stud-based four-time Australian Champion Sire Snitzel (currently the third leading 2-year-old sire), Imperial Force was bred by Harp Thoroughbreds' Paul Jelfs and sold by Lime Country Thoroughbreds to Coolmore Australia for a sale-topping $1.6 million at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Chris Waller | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
His ownership is shared by Coolmore with a number of big hitters including Sir Peta Vella, Woppitt Bloodstock, Aristia Park Bloodstock, Rockingham Thoroughbreds and Peachester Lodge in whose maroon and gold colours he races.
“It is always good to see the Huddy family colours to the fore,” said Waller who is also in the ownership.
Imperial Force as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Imperial Force is the final foal produced by the lightly raced (five starts) Listed Gosford Slipper winner Ultimate Fever (Gold Fever {USA}) for whom Paul Jelfs purchased for $100,000 at the 2020 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale.
Nine of her 10 named foals have been winners with Imperial Force vying to become her third stakes winner by Snitzel - the others being the G3 DC McKay S. winner Sprightly Lass and the Listed Canterbury Classic winner Le Cordon Bleu.
Also by Snitzel, Ultimate Fever produced the stakes-placed Stratosphere who has made an encouraging start to his stud career at Grenville Stud in Tasmania.
Imperial Force was the third seven figure yearling sold by Lime Country at Inglis Easter last year - a big achievement for Jo and Greg Griffin in their first year at their new Hunter Valley-based farm.
Imperial Force as a yearling | Image courtesy of Lime Country Thoroughbreds
Excited to cheer Imperial Force on, Jo Griffin fondly remembers him as a youngster - the sort of horse who stood out from day one.
“He was always a bull!” she said, “a Schwarzenegger of a horse.”
“He was a very precocious, forward individual with great strength and lots of bone.”
“He (Imperial Force) was a very precocious, forward individual with great strength and lots of bone.” - Jo Griffin
Griffin remembers being rather tense leading into his sale - the colt drawing towards the end of the catalogue, making the wait “a nerve-wracking one.”
Also producing the talented Straight Charge (Written By) from that crop, the Griffins can claim the Huddy family as long time clients - making Imperial Force's win in their colours all the more exciting.
Jo Griffin
“It was really great to see him in those silks, we are delighted for Linda and Graham.”
Imperial Force's now retired dam Ultimate Fever is a permanent resident at Lime Country, seeing out her days as a nanny.
“She really loves doing that,” Griffin said, “and she does a great job.”
Griffin is also delighted for Imperial Force's breeder Paul Jelfs - “he races a lot of horses and was hoping to stay in the ownership of this horse but unfortunately couldn't. But he was so excited on the day he was sold and he will be again!”
Imperial Force | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Imperial Force was part of a one, two, three finish for Snitzel - also sire of the runner-up Monte Veebee and the third placed Dark Arts.
Having his first start - and finishing off nicely - Monte Veebee is also highly-regarded with co-trainer Luke Price hopeful of a win but happy with his charge's effort.
“He is a well-bred colt who we had high expectations for. He just lacked that bit of race practice but it was a really good result and we think we've got a nice horse on our hands.”
A $900,000 Inglis Easter graduate, Monte Veebee was bred by Grant Bloodstock out of the Group 2-placed multiple city winner Snogging (I Am Invincible).
Dark Arts meanwhile was having his second start having performed nicely at his Randwick debut in December. Bred by Winton Bloodstock, he is out of the two-time Group 3-placed Zasorceress (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
