The Chris Waller-trained Sequinned (Pinatubo {IRE}) was the heavily favoured runner heading into the Gr.3 Red Roses Stakes down Flemington’s straight course, but the beautifully bred Lady Catalina (Written Tycoon) had other ideas, producing a thrilling performance to claim the Group 3 feature in a tight finish.
The Ciaron Maher-trained filly, a daughter of former star juvenile Away Game (Snitzel), displayed an abundance of natural speed and proved difficult to run down after taking control early.
The field had endured a lengthy wait at the barriers following the unfortunate late scratching of two runners, but that did little to affect Lady Catalina, who was quickly into stride once the gates opened.
Blake Shinn took the filly straight to the front, with Determined Rose (Hellbent) settling handy and Scintillation (I Am Invincible) also positioned prominently, closer to the inside rail.
Meanwhile, James McDonald had Sequinned travelling comfortably down the grandstand side, enjoying plenty of clear running room as he prepared to make his challenge.
Lady Catalina kicked strongly when asked, with Sequinned beginning to close the margin. However, the favourite had her awkward head carriage and a tendency to lug back towards the inside, while Lady Catalina continued to fight on.
In the end, the daughter of Written Tycoon had just enough in reserve to hold on by little more than a nose from a gallant Sequinned, with Semantics (Exceed And Excel) finishing only a head further away in third in an extremely close finish.
For winning trainer Ciaron Maher, the result continued an outstanding carnival and was particularly satisfying given the investment made by Lady Catalina’s connections.
“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.
“She’s out of a great mare that we trained, Away Game. She’s justified her price now. Can’t thank the team. Had a beautiful ride by Blake (Shinn).
“I told him to send her. She doesn’t round off her races that she’s tough. Well, she did round off her race today, but her biggest asset is to go quick. He timed it to perfection.
“You think you’re going too quick, but you’re not. She toughed it out well.”
Winning jockey Blake Shinn said the instructions were straight forward, with Maher keen to allow the naturally quick filly to use her greatest asset.
“Ciaron instructed me just to let her roll and she jumped super, probably the first out and was just able to get her into that nice rhythm and she was able to just absorb pressure and then build off that.
“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.
“Beautiful filly, really just got a great demeanor about her and characteristics and obviously well bred and great to get a winner in these Resolute Racing colours. Big investors in America and it’s great to see them here in Australia.”
Sales info: Lady Catalina was purchased for $1,800,000 by Resolute Bloodstock and Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the Yulong draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Lady Catalina is the first foal from the well-related and very quick Away Game who won $3.75 million on the track including the Gr.2 Percy Sykes Stakes. She was very unlucky not to win a Group 1, although did manage three Group 1-placings including a runner-up position in the Gr.1 Golden Slipper.
A full sister to Away Game is Modern Wonder (Snitzel), she was successful at Listed level among her three wins.
Since producing Lady Catalina, Away Game has produced a Written Tycoon two-year-old colt, a Pierata yearling filly and was covered by Written Tycoon again this season.
Written for TTR AusNZ
