Impending has continued the outstanding record of three-year-olds in Brisbane’s feature race; storming home to win the featured Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) at Doomben Racecourse this afternoon.
Impending delivered on his potential to record a maiden Group 1 victory in the 2017 Stradbroke Handicap. Photo by: Steve Hart
The Godolphin colt has been strong and consistent this time in, but continued to drift in the hours leading up to the Stradbroke Handicap and jumped a $20 shot at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Jumping from the barriers well, jockey Corey Brown took a place within the capacity field of sixteen aboard the Lonhro colt as Jungle Edge, Burning Front, Hopfgarten and Good Project traded blows on a hot early speed.
Brown elected to pull Impending out into clear running when the field began to turn and strode into the race as the pack straightened; still several lengths off the likes of Burning Front.
In Her Time shot to the lead and looked the Stradbroke Handicap winner with 200m to run, however Impending still had plenty in the tank and mustered his typically slick turn of foot to run down the game mare; hitting the line half and length in the clear.
Race favourite Clearly Innocent continued his strong run of form in finishing third, while Counterattack led a wall of horses which included Gold Symphony, to positions four and beyond.
Brown summed up the race perfectly and the in-form hoop was thrilled to ride the Stradbroke Handicap winner, whilst also laying all the praise on the horse and training efforts of Darren Beadman after the race.
“It was a good win,” Brown said after the race.
“I know he carried no weight, but he drew really awkward and sticky and I was a little bit concerned about that.
“We got to a four-wide line with a trail, which is really good because he needs room, this horse.
“I’ve watched his replays and the more room he has, the better he runs.
“It was all over by the time I got to about the 500m – He was going really well. He didn’t run away from them with the win, but he did win well.”
Impending returned to the races for fourth in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) in March; placing third in each of the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m) and Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint (1200m) before arriving in Brisbane for fourth in the Group 1 Darley Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) a fortnight ago.
Races like the Group 1 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m) and Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) are set to figure for Impending when he returns to racing in the forthcoming Spring Carnival.
