I Am Me (Image: Bradley Photos)
Imperatriz will start an odds-on favourite in Saturday's relocated Group 1 Manikato Stakes and champion rider James McDonald says she will be extremely hard to beat.
McDonald, who has been booked to ride Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace-trained mare I Am Me, says his mount's racing pattern gives the pair a sneaky chance but it still looks hard to topple the Te Akau sprinting star.
"She's going to have to have an off day maybe, but you've got to be in to win," McDonald said.
"We're an on-speed runner so we're a little chance, aren't we?"
McDonald has ridden the I Am Invincible mare to two of her nine career wins, including a last-start victory in the G3 Sydney Stakes (1200m) at Randwick a fortnight ago.
I Am Me is the $8 equal-second favourite along with Queenslander Uncommon James, while Imperatriz is a $1.50 hope.