Impending Maintains Winning Family Tradition

A proud family tradition was maintained and a highly promising career begun when the two-year-old colt Impending made an impressive debut at Rosehill, Australia, on Saturday, April 23.

Impending's victory in the Pluck@Vinery Handicap also made him the the 17th juvenile winner for Godolphin in Australia this season.

Impending (John O'Shea/James McDonald) is a son of the talented mare Mnemosyne whose five Graded victories included the G1 Thousand Guineas and the G1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes.

Mnemosyne, a $400,000 yearling, is one of seven foals to race from her dam My Juliet, all of which have won. And Mnemosyne herself has had five foals to race, four of which have won city races.

Impending has required a careful approach from trainer John O'Shea who delayed his racetrack appearance until only three months from the end of the season.

"He's got prominent sesamoids which could cause suspensory problems," O'Shea said after the win.

"It helps that he is lightly framed, but he's a real horse.

"We will assess him over the next week or so and decide whether he goes to the paddock or perhaps has another run."

If the son of Lonhro is to run again as a two-year-old it could be in Brisbane, but O'Shea stressed the colt would continue to be taken along slowly.

"Whatever happens we will look after him and be kind to him" the trainer said.

"I think he will be a serious racehorse in the Spring. He might just be a bit special."

Impending took control with 250m to run, racing away to score by two-and-a-half lengths from Eckstein with a neck to third placegetter Sylpheed.