From his very first race, I’mateez carried substantial expectations.
As the younger brother to the exceptional 10-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz, I’mateez has so far managed two wins from his seven starts, along with three placings.
Under the tutelage of Alex Rae at Cranbourne, I’mateez is scheduled to compete for his maiden city victory in the Rod Johnston Handicap (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Imperatriz herself achieved Group 1 success on the Flemington straight course, winning the Champions Sprint (1200m) and the Lightning Stakes, and also claimed a second position in the Newmarket Handicap.
Rae is hopeful that the straight track at Flemington will prove advantageous for I’mateez, who has been hampered by recurring minor physical issues throughout his seven-start career.
Following a successful debut run at Geelong in April, Rae entered I’mateez into the Warrnambool May Carnival, but the venture concluded with disappointment.
“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.”
Last week, Rae took I’mateez to Sale for an 800m jump-out, an exercise the gelding won.
He noted that I’mateez has recovered well from the jump-out, which will give the stable a clearer picture of the gelding’s current racing form.
“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.”
Get the latest racing odds for the Rod Johnston Handicap at Flemington from various Australian betting sites.
