Babylon Berlin has upper hand over Imperatriz at The Valley

Ben Foote is keen to see Babylon Berlin rip around The Valley. Picture: Hagen Hopkins-Getty Images

Trainer Ben Foote is hoping The Valley can give his mare Babylon Berlin the upper hand on Kiwi superstar Imperatriz in Friday night's William Reid Stakes (1200m).

While beaten by Imperatriz twice this year, Babylon Berlin's ability to "rail like a greyhound" has Foote confident they can turn the tables on New Zealand's pin-up mare around the tight circuit.

Australian-breds go 1-2 in the Group 1 Railway Stakes over 1200m at @TeRapaRacing with Te Akau Racing's Imperatriz holding out Group winner Babylon Berlin in a thriller … 1/ pic.twitter.com/n86OGmcAH3

— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) January 1, 2023

"With Imperatriz being favourite in a 1200m race around Moonee Valley gives me a bit of confidence and that we're in with a real chance," Foote said.

"We were only narrowly beaten by her on a track (Te Rapa) with a 400m straight so hopefully getting to Moonee Valley might swing in her favour as I'm sure it will suit her (Babylon Berlin)."

The daughter of All Too Hard had a spin around The Valley on Monday morning and is set to be partnered by Blake Shinn in Friday night's feature.

With Shinn returning from Hong Kong, Fred Kersley rode Babylon Berlin in her track gallop where Foote said she went super.

"Everything has gone really well with her, she galloped super at Moonee Valley on Monday and looks to be in good order," Foote said.

"We're hoping she runs well on Friday night, it looks to be a suitable race for her."

TAB rates Babylon Berlin as a $15 chance in betting while she's $26 for next month's $4m The Quokka which looms as an attractive option should she run up to Foote's expectation.

BABYLON BERLIN @pikeracingnz leads home A CASE OF YOU @MickPriceRacingpic.twitter.com/hSpOsiy8IB

— Moonee Valley Racing Club (@TheValley) March 19, 2023

"I've had a couple of offers for the race but I think we might just sit and wait to see how she goes on Friday night," Foote said.

"If she runs up to form, which I'm sure she will, then we'll look to go that way with her."

Meanwhile, the Kiwi trainer could look to target a Queensland raid in the winter with three-year-old filly Sakura Girl.

"We might look at the Queensland Oaks with her, not everything went her way in the (New Zealand) Oaks so we'll just put that behind us," Foote said.

The daughter of Iffraaj is a Group 3 winner at 2100m and was second behind Vinery Stud Stakes favourite Prowess earlier this year prior to her New Zealand Oaks effort last Saturday.