Imperatriz arrives at Te Akau's new Cranbourne base

Five-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz is leading the charge at Te Akau Racing’s newly established base at Cranbourne in Melbourne.

She is slated to compete in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley next Saturday.

David Ellis, Chairman of Te Akau Racing, spoke highly of the new facilities.

“The facilities here are as good as I’ve seen anywhere in the world,” Ellis told Racing.com.

As for Imperatriz, Ellis was optimistic.

“Just looking at her now, she’s come up really well. She had been working well in New Zealand and has settled in incredibly well here.”

The team has ambitious plans for the mare, targeting the $3 million Champions Sprint at Flemington in November.

“We’ll have her at her peak for that,” Ellis said.

The new base at Cranbourne signifies a major step in Te Akau Racing’s Australian expansion. Looking forward, Ellis is confident about scaling their operations.

“We’d like to think we’ll have 60 horses in work here in the next two years for sure.”