Six months ago we may not have been game enough to suggest Sorenata would win over distances shorter than 2000m. But since her return from a good spell in early Autumn, she has shown more dash and strength with maturity. So it was no surprise to see her record a second career victory at Bairnsdale in the Classicbet Fillies & Mares BM64 1600m event on Thursday.
On Thursday, the Cranbourne meeting was transferred to Bairnsdale due to facility renovations at Cranbourne. Nigel and connections were happy to take this well-natured mare by Mastercraftsman all the way out east, and that decision paid off.
Michael Walker had already won on Sorenata in January, but he learned more about her at Sandown in her first up run this preparation in late July. In that race the pace slowed mid-race. Sorenata was caught mid-field and unable to sprint quickly to pick up the leading division. The plan at Bairnsdale was always to ride Sorenata on the pace and build momentum as she hit the main straight.
Michael executed the plan perfectly, aided by barrier 8 which gave him the opportunity to assess the speed and let Sorenata come across to sit a comfortably second, a length behind and to the outside of the leader.
On the turn, Michael built that momentum and she was strong to the line to score her second victory.
Watch the closing stages of Sorenata’s race below.
Michael Walker settles up near the lead gets a double on Sorenata in Race 5 for @NigelBlackiston. pic.twitter.com/AzXqnbksMr
— Racing.com (@Racing) August 10, 2017
Thanks to the Bairnsdale Racing Club and race sponsor Classicbet.