Pencarrow principal Sir Peter Vela might have another future black-type contender on his hands after Imperial Force (Snitzel) cleared maiden ranks in style in Sydney on Wednesday.

The Chris Waller-trained colt headed into the A$60,000 James Squire 2YO Handicap (1250m) at Canterbury as a second placegetter in his only previous start, and he took his promising career up by several notches on Wednesday with a dominant performance.

Drawn awkwardly in the outside gate among an 11-horse field, Imperial Force was pushed forward by jockey Nash Rawiller and soon slid into second. He cruised up alongside the leader at the home turn and strode clear from the 250-metre mark, opening up a commanding winning margin of three and three-quarter lengths.

“That was a pretty tidy performance, I was impressed,” Waller said. “He’s a well-bred colt owned by a good ownership group, and he looks to have a bright future ahead of him.

“I’ll speak to the team now and see what they’re keen to do, or what they’re keen to support me on. My push would probably be towards Queensland and a big race or two up there.”

Sir Peter Vela shares ownership of Imperial Force with Coolmore, Wynaus, Westerberg, Joe Poulin, Lynque, Woppitt Bloodstock, Peachester Lodge, Rockingham Thoroughbreds, Mr K MacLennan, Aristia Park Bloodstock and Chris Waller.

From two starts, Imperial Force has recorded a win and a second and earned A$50,000.

Imperial Force was bought for A$1.6 million as a yearling and is by champion sire Snitzel, who boasts four Australian sire championships among his many accomplishments in a record-breaking career. His 1180 winners include 142 at stakes level, with no fewer than 19 individual Group One winners. His sire sons include the likes of Shamus Award and Russian Revolution.

The dam of Imperial Force is Ultimate Fever (Gold Fever), who was a Listed winner and is the dam of five winners including Group Three winner Sprightly Lass (Snitzel), Listed winner Le Cordon Bleu (Snitzel) and the Group Three placegetter and sire Stratosphere (Snitzel).