Globetrotting Impaler Aims For Feature Glory

Newcastle Herald

Monday November 14, 2005

By GEOFF WILSON

REJUVENATED sprint star Impaler will be chasing feature-race wins from Brisbane to Hong Kong next month.

The David Atkins-trained galloper returned to his best with an all-the-way win in the Wyndham Estate Cup (1100 metres) at Rosehill on Saturday.

The Newcastle trainer confirmed yesterday that Impaler would now be set an ambitious campaign over December.

Atkins has entered Impaler for the $5 million International Sprint over 1000m at Sha Tin in Hong Kong on December 19.

Atkins is also looking at the $200,0000 group 3 Summer Sprint at Doomben on December 9 as a possible goal for Impaler.

"Impaler has been inoculated, and we are just waiting to see if he gets an invite to run in Hong Kong," Atkins said yesterday.

"If he got the go-ahead then we would definitely make plans to take him across for the International Sprint.

"Why wouldn't you? It is worth a lot of money, and a chance like this does not come too often.

"I was doubting that he would be invited, but after his win on Saturday there is some talk he may now get the go-ahead."

Atkins said the 1200m race at Doomben on December 9 was also on the cards for Impaler.

"The race in Brisbane is very inviting," Atkins said.

"It is worth very good money, and really, there is not much at all left for Impaler in Sydney over summer."

Impaler showed his usual speed and great stamina to hold off his rivals on Saturday to record a three-quarter-length win over Resistor and $4.40 favourite Proprietor.

"It was a terrific effort, as they all had their chance to gun him down," Atkins said.

"He has not had too much luck of late, and he struck a very good track, which also helped him.

"Now that he has shown he is getting back to his best race form, we have to look at the better races with him."

AAP reports: A moulded helmet giving facial and dental protection will be trialled on jockeys Darren Beadman and Larry Cassidy in Sydney in the next two weeks.

The move has been initiated by Racing NSW's national jockey safety review steering committee, which was established after a spate of horrific falls earlier this year.

The Kevlar helmets are similar to those used by skydivers and downhill skiers.