Lady Catalina has finally achieved a significant victory, securing a Stakes race on Oaks Day at Flemington.
The three-year-old filly, a descendant of Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Away Game, had been a source of frustration for trainer Ciaron Maher but put those concerns aside with her triumph in the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Thursday.
After an initial debut win at Newcastle earlier in the year, Lady Catalina had failed to win in her subsequent seven Stakes race appearances.
Her recent form saw her even compete in benchmark 70 grade at Cranbourne, where she disappointed as a short-priced favourite.
Ciaron Maher opted for a jockey change, with Blake Shinn taking the reins on Lady Catalina ($20), who bravely resisted a strong challenge from the $1.90 favourite Sequinned, winning by a narrow margin of a nose. Semantics ($8) finished in third place.
Lady Catalina was one of two entries from the Maher stable, though Calamari Ring was a late withdrawal at the barrier.
“That’s racing, isn’t it,” Maher commented.
“We had Calamari Ring pulled out, didn’t get her opportunity, and obviously the horse’s health is first and foremost, and then we win the race with a $16 shot.
“How good?”
Maher admitted he thought the favourite had snatched victory near the finish line.
“This horse races in John Stewart’s colours, Resolute Racing, and we paid a pretty penny for her at the Magic Millions sale, $1.8 million,” Maher revealed.
“She’s out of a great mare that we trained, Away Game, so she’s justified her price now, and she had a beautiful ride by Blake.”
Shinn stated that Maher’s instructions were straightforward: allow Lady Catalina to set her own pace.
“She was probably the first out, and I was just able to get her into that nice rhythm, and she was able to just absorb pressure and then build off that,” Shinn explained.
“I was able to keep probably a length up my sleeve when the other horses challenged me and then she was able to find and just save a little bit for the end.
“She’s a beautiful filly, really just got a great demeanor about her.”
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