A race-to-race double at Geelong

Posted on Posted in News
There was a lot of cheering in Geelong, Melbourne and New Zealand when the stable scored a race-to-race double with Big Pat’s Pontiac and Sorenata at Geelong on Sunday.

Big Pat’s Pontiac was bred by great friends and clients from the mare Abecedarian, dam of another stable winner Cathy’s Mark. So to win his fifth race start is a terrific reward for his owners – Ron Beazley, Matthew Beazley, Tim Barrett and Pat McCabe and their families – to breed another winner from this family.

Special thanks to Michael Walker for summing up the situation at Geelong perfectly. Big Pat’s jumped a little awkwardly from the barriers and drifted back to the rear of the field. But Michael didn’t panic, and allowed him to settle before hooking to the outside fence in search of the firmer, faster ground. Big Pat’s finish was strong, so perhaps that is the key to riding him from now on.

Watch the race replay


We must admit we were a little more confident about Sorenata‘s chances in the very next race, stepping up to 2260m after showing signs that she will appreciate this distance range.

The key to Sorenata is to ride her handy to the pace and get into clear galloping room early in the straight. What she may lack in terms of a sprint, she makes up for in stamina and courage. Michael Walker executed this plan perfectly, positioned just behind the leaders before making a move around the home turn.

The pattern of races on the day has been well-documented – a clear bias to the outside fence. So Michael immediately allowed Sorenata to drift out towards the challenger in the straight, and head to head Sorenata went to the line with Hasta Bebe.

As suspected, Sorenata did not lie down and maintained her rhythm and strength to score a well-deserved maiden victory for connections in Australia and New Zealand. She will now head to the Listed Tasmania Oaks on Sunday 19 February, a race where similar connections placed in last year with Electric Aura.

Watch the race replay