Top sprinter Impending started his farewell to racing in perfect fashion when he overcame difficulties in the straight to win the Group Two Victory Stakes (1200m) at Doomben.
Sent out favourite, Impending ($2.50) looked to be held up for a run in the final 250m but jockey Damian Browne was able to steer him into the clear.
He finished powerfully to overhaul Most Important ($8.50) by a long neck with three-quarters of a length to Sydney filly I’m Excited ($6) in third place.
Impending’s success gave the Godolphin stable a winning double.
Godolphin’s manager director Vin Cox said Impending would now head to the Doomben 10000, Kingsford Smith Cup and the Stradbroke Handicap.
“They are all Group One races and he will contest them all. He won last year’s Stradbroke and we were always keen to give him a chance at repeating that,” Cox said.
“He is off to stud at the end of the winter and more Group Ones won’t do him any harm.”‘
Impending is set to stand at Darley’s Northwood Park stud in Victoria in the new season.
Cox was quick to praise the ride of Browne who has a great strike-rate when he rides for Godolphin.
“Damian knew what he was doing. He is one of the best riders around and we are always happy to get him.” Cox said.
Browne said it had been a strong win but Impending would be further improved.
Most Important will also follow the Group One trail to the Stradbroke.
Trainer Tony Gollan said Most Important wasn’t well off at the weights in the Victory Stakes, Doomben 10000 and Kingsford Smith.
“I will just have to accept that. But we are headed to the Stradbroke and those races are ideal for his lead-up,” Gollan said.
Michael Cahill, who rode I Am Excited, said the filly did a great job coming from last.
