Catarina rewards patience and persistence
‘‘She's actually a real honey to do anything with.’’
The persistence of her trainer and the patience of her owners have been well repaid by Matamata racemare Catarina, who completed a winning double at Pukekohe on Saturday.
In her final start last season Catarina had bounced back to form on her home track for the third win of her career, and she took that tally to four on the weekend with another commanding performance.
At six years old it seems that she is finally hitting her full potential, but it’s been no easy road to reach this point. Trainer Tony Gillies deserves a medal for his perseverance with the mare who might be an angel at home but fires up when it’s time to go about her training.
Tony trains Catarina for a partnership comprising his wife Pam, daughter Michelle, uncle Clarry and sister Catherine Gillies, along with first-time owners Danica Cawker, Kelly McKenzie and Emma McDougall.
To them credit must go for heeding the advice of their trainer that Catarina would be a ‘‘time job’’ – and how right he’s been proven.
‘‘She has taken a lot of making,’’ says Pam, who assists her husband during morning trackwork sessions and knows full well the challenges she has presented. ‘‘She’s actually a real honey to do anything with, but when it comes to getting her on to the track to work she’s something else.
‘‘Tony has always had faith in her and it got to the point that he decided the best way round the issues was to work with her. That approach has worked wonders and we’re all having a ball seeing her win.’’
Catarina was bred by Tony’s sister Catherine and her husband Philip Brown, who have leased her to the partnership and will eventually retire her to Ancroft Stud.
Catarina, who provided Michael Coleman with his first win of the season, is likely to return to her home track for the feature race at the next Matamata meeting on August 30.