Imperial Monarch succeeds to the throne in the Grade 3 Bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown
Imperial Monarch cruised through the track and comfortably crossed the wire in the Grade 3 Bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown on 28th April, 2012, doing justice to his status as race favourite with the odds of 11 to 8.
Teamed with jockey, Joseph O'Brien, the duo performed brilliantly. They worked well together and landed the victory over the John Gosden trained, Thought Worthy, by 1 ¾ lengths.
Imperial Monarch was pegged back in the initial stages of the race, but he closed in well in the final furlong.
Joseph O’Brien was immensely pleased with the performance of the runner, as he spoke to the media after the race and stated that:
"The ground was bottomless and barely raceable down the inside but we found it was nicer ground down the wide outside in tyre tracks from the ambulance or whatever and the ground was more compact.
"This horse is uncomplicated and although I was six or eight lengths behind them into the straight he picked up and hopefully will keep improving."
The Richard Hannon trained, Rougemont, raced with the odds of 11 to 4, and showed heart in the beginning, but it was not enough as he fell 9 lengths adrift of the runner-up.
Imperial Monarch, trained by A P O'Brien for owners, Mrs. John Magnier, M. Tabor and D. Smith has immense potential to improve, as he is currently on a hat-trick.
The son of Galileo, out of mare Ionian Sea, who was whelped on 28th April, 2009, performed in a terrific manner in his career maiden.
The three-year-old colt defeated, Azamata, by 3 ½ lengths in the Loughwood Fencing European Breeders Fund 2yo (C & G) Maiden at the Curragh on 10th
September, 2011, where he was mounted by jockey, Seamie Heffernan.
As a result of his victory at Sandown, Ladbrokes has given the bay colt odds of 25 to 1 for the Investec Derby, which is scheduled to take place on 2nd June, 2012.
Imperial Monarch’s stable mate Camelot, who is owned by Derrick Smith and bred by Sheikh Abdulla Bin Isa Al-Khalifa will race as a favourite.
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