Last Hurrah For Waller Stable Greybeard
- Friday, 27 November 2015 07:06
Nothing has been left to chance as I'm Imposing is trained for the final instalment of a racing journey that might have been too much for a lot of horses.
After winning in two countries for three trainers and overcoming two tendon injuries, I'm Imposing is in sight of the finish line that will double as a well-earned retirement paddock.
The 10-year-old's farewell tour starts at Rosehill on Saturday as topweight in a race he won last year, the Listed Festival Stakes.
I'm Imposing returns after his weight-for-age placing in the Craven Plate last month when it was thought the horse, imported to Australia by Lloyd Williams, had raced for the last time.
In seven starts for Williams, I'm Imposing managed a Caulfield win in 2010 before spending two years out with injury for new owners and trainer Chris Waller.
The wait was worth it despite I'm Imposing's advancing years and Waller is giving the oldest racehorse in his stable every chance to go out on a winning note.
"He's had the most vigorous vet testing. I don't know why, but we did and he passed it when he went out for a spell," Waller said.
"And even before acceptance time this week we trotted him up just to make sure he is spot on. And he is."
Since I'm Imposing edged out Estonian Princess in last year's Festival Stakes, Waller maintains the veteran has never raced at a better standard.
A second Summer Cup win and a Group One Doomben Cup placing support that claim.
"The last 12 months has probably been the best of his life," Waller said.
"Hence that is why he is back but it will be one run at a time and in all likelihood he will have only three more starts."
They will include the Villiers Stakes and the Summer Cup on Boxing Day as a swan song race.
Slate On Edge's scratching on Friday has left 14 runners in the Festival with Waller also running Heart Testa, one of eight rides for Blake Shinn.
Shinn hasn't ridden at a Saturday meeting in Sydney since Epsom Handicap day on October 3.
Four of his rides are for Waller while he has picked up the prized mount on That's A Good Idea in the Starlight Stakes.
