The John Moloney-trained gelding was a $13 chance, but overcame a strong field which included defending champion Here To Shock to claim the $55,000 prize for first place courtesy of a brilliantly executed ride from Childs.
After getting out of the blocks well and surging into the lead, Childs positioned the horse on the rail, where it continued to set the pace as the field made the turn into the home straight.
Despite a late run from Suparazi, Imperial Lad managed to hang on to secure the win by half a length, which Childs said was well deserved.
“He sure deserved a win today,” she told Racing.com
“I was riding him in town and he was putting up such a strong fight out in front, just got beat late, but today he was on his A-game, out the front, ears pricked, happy horse.
“Credit to the stable, John Moloney. I’m just so grateful for the ride and the connections to stick with me. I’m so happy.”
It was a sentiment shared by the stable, with Moloney Racing’s Shane O’Sullivan complimentary of both horse and jockey following the win.
“It was a great win and she (Childs) rode him perfectly how we asked. We wanted to put the pressure on them on the corner,” he said.
“He’s been such an honest horse, such a stalwart in the stable. He’s been a pleasure to have in the joint. The owners have had a really good ride with him and this has been sensational today.”
O’Sullivan said the pre-race plan was to set a quick tempo early, one which paid dividends with the horse leading from start to finish.
“We spoke before the race and I said if you get a nice easy lead in front, you’ll get nice sectionals,” he said.
“You be the first one to put pressure on, you dictate to them, and she (Childs) did that perfectly.”
It’s a plan that has worked before, with the win bringing up Imperial Lad’s 10th victory.
O’Sullivan noted the horse’s ability to lead the entire way.
“He’s been a terribly consistent horse,” he said.
“The way he races, he’s a bit vulnerable at times if (others) want to take him on early, but that’s normally at their peril.”
The Ben Brisbourne-trained Suparazi finished half-a-length back in second, while 2023 champion Here To Shock beat out Bullfinch for third in a photo.
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