Trainer David Catarino was justifiably proud of Showlas’s effort at Northam on Sunday, a winning performance that suggests there is a fair amount of upside to the three-year-old- filly.
First up for six months and off no trial, the daughter of Showtime defied the racing patten that made it difficult for on pace leaders to create a meaningful impression on the day.
Claiming her second win at start number four, Showlas toughed it out strongly after leading from barrier to post in an impressive front-running display over 1300m.
As enjoyable and as satisfying as the win was for Catarino, it ranked second to watching his daughter execute a perfect rated ride on Showlas.
In an astute move, improving apprentice Ava Catarino backed her judgement to stick to the inside fence when other riders were fanning out wide in the run home.
It’s the second time in the past two months that father and daughter have combined for race day success after Maidmy Way saluted at York at double figure odds.
Bursting with pride and giving him double cause for celebration, Catarino heaped praise on his daughter and the work she has done behind the scenes with Showlas
“It was just fantastic,” Catarino said on Tabradio.
“We’re a really tight knit family and we work together.
“It was a beautiful thing to see, and she loves that horse to death.
“She’s done all the work on it and never got to ride when it did win.
“That’s why it was special for her to have a winner on it.
“She rode it a treat and it was great to see.”
When your father was a former jockey and your grandfather, Danny Miller, rode with distinction in a decorated career, it seemed inevitable Catarino would be drawn the riding.
Despite the family heritage, it hasn’t all been plain sailing and soon after making her debut at Port Hedland she took a break to refocus and rediscover her motivation for racing.
David Catarino says time away has aided Ava’s comeback, but he believes the biggest influence on her burgeoning career has been the influence of new training mentors.
‘She has progressed unbelievably since she’s been at Misty and Aaron’s (Bazeley),” Catarino said.
“I can’t thank them enough for the fantastic job to nurture and tutor her through what she’s going through in her apprenticeship.
“They have done a fantastic job with her, and she is riding well.”
Found in an on-line sale, Catarino holds confidence Showlas can continue to improve and stretch out in distance.
“I was very lucky, my son-in-law found her and picked her out in an online sale,” Catarino said.
“It’s been onward and up since we got her, she was a lucky buy.
“There’s a race in 10 days, a class three 1400m, she’ll head there.
“If she wins that we’ll go on from there.
“She’ll go 2000m and will stay, she’s bred to stay all day.”
