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I’m Imposing for the Chris Waller stable has taken out the 2014 edition of the Listed Festival Stakes in a thrilling photo finish.

I'm Imposing joined an elite list of Festival Stakes winners including Spirit of Tara (2005), Eremein (2008) and Malavio (2012).

Although finishing second in his previous Rosehill start, the Group 3 Sydney Markets Filante Handicap, and dropping significantly in grade, punters were scared off the gelding after a shocking fourteenth place in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes over 1600m at Flemington on November 8th.

The $19.00 with TAB.com.au roughie jumped soundly and settled toward the back of the field in the opening stages.

Heading into the turn one off the fence, the well-bred Danehill Dancer progeny worked hard to solidly to make up ground after giving the leading pack a decent lead.

Jockey Tye Angland showed his experience and weaved his horse through a congested field to find space out wide at the 200m for a solid run toward the finishing post.

Four hit the line together with I’m Imposing (55.5kg) lunging in the final stride to win in a photo finish with Estonian Princess (Snitzel) (54kg) for Scott Aspery and Brenton Avdulla. Strawberry Boy (Redoute’s Choice) (57.5kg) also for Chris Waller and Joshua Parr, who lead all the way, completed the minor placings.

Race favourite Generalife (Lonhro) from the Godolphin yard with Blake Shinn finished a respectable fourth after missing the start.

The time was 1.28.51 with the final 600m in 35.36 with a Short Half Head by a Long Head the official margins.

Chris Waller dismissed his geldings last up start in the Emirates and advised that he was confident in the horse’s abilities coming into this race.

“Don’t worry about where he finished (in the Emirates Stakes) it was simply the way the race was run. He deserved to be there”, said Waller.

Stable staff at both the Rosehill Gardens stable and satellite stable in Melbourne were also credited for the win.

He (I’m Imposing) actually stayed in Melbourne, he came back on Wednesday night. The team down there (Melbourne) do a great job, the team back here (Sydney) complement it, and vice-versa. They share the glory, although I guess Melbourne might take the credit for this one”, Waller joked.

This was his sixth win from 34 starts and with 10 placings he has now earned stakes of $432,415.