News

Chris Waller’s veteran stayer I’m Imposing wins his second Boxing Day feature

26th Dec 2014

Daily Telegraph - Ray Thomas - Friday, 26 December 2014

I’m Imposing defied age and the burden of racing history to score a thrilling win in the Group 3 $125,000 Summer Cup (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Friday.

Before a healthy Boxing Day crowd of 10,021, I’m Imposing was a popular winner after punters backing the Chris Waller-trained gelding into $3.30 favouritism.

It took another brilliant Tye Angland ride to drive I’m Imposing to a dominant win over Midsummer Sun with Casino Dancer and secure successive Summer Cups.

I’m Imposing became the first horse since Donald in 1928-29 to win the staying feature in consecutive years.

He managed the feat carrying 59kg — becoming only the second horse after Linesman (59.5kg, 1997) in more than 100 years to successfully shoulder more than 57.5kg to win a Summer Cup.

Waller, Sydney’s premier trainer, prepared a treble at Randwick with Danjeu, Liberty Island and I’m Imposing, and admitted the latter’s back-to-back Summer Cups was particularly satisfying.

“All of his runs this prep have been good except in the Emirates Stakes (at Flemington) where there was a legitimate excuse with a lack of speed in the race,” Waller told TVN.

“It’s a good effort, just a great horse and obviously a great group of owners. It’s very rewarding as a couple of weeks ago we ran second in the Villiers and we went home with our heads between our knees, but you bounce back quick in this game.

“They don’t have to be the best horse in the stable but when a horse has been in the stable for a long time, it makes it more special.

“I’m already looking forward to next preparation. I would probably look at races like the Hollindale and Doomben Cup in the winter.”