How time flies as it seems only yesterday that Away Game was racing in sprint races up and down the eastern seaboard of Australia.
Away Game won the 2020 Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast and was retired after finishing last in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley in September 2022 with five wins and 11 minor placings from 26 starts.
The first foal of Away Game, a $1.8 million yearling purchase by Written Tycoon, Lady Catalina lines up for her fifth start on Saturday, but her first in Melbourne, in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
Lady Catalina has not been as quick in developing as Away Game and made her debut in March with victory in a Newcastle maiden before eventually making her way to Brisbane during the winter carnival.
Returning to Ciaron Maher’s training base in Sydney, Lady Catalina was prepared for her return run with a Warwick Farm trial on August 4 before making her way down to Maher’s Ballarat stable last weekend.
Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, said Lady Catalina had a workout at Ballarat on Tuesday to prepare her for Saturday’s contest.
“She’s a winner and is Stakes placed and had a gallop at Ballarat on Tuesday, and she seems to be in very good form,” Turnbull said.
With her breeding, what the Maher team is hoping to achieve is get a Black Type victory on the board for Lady Catalina. Those looking for the best betting apps Australia will be keeping a close eye on her first Melbourne appearance.
Turnbull said the filly would target the filly’s Black Type races in coming weeks and if her form warranted it, a potential start in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week.
He said Saturday’s race was a good starting point.
“It’s usually a good form line type of race,” Turnbull said.
“It could be a Coolmore preparation for some, or they could go down the filly’s path.”
The Maher stable is undecided if Ghana’s Akan will take her place in Saturday’s race after drawing gate 18 in the 19-horse field.
“We drew wide first-up, and she did a bit of work. She was good, without being brilliant,” Turnbull said.
“It’s disappointing (the draw), you either go back or try to blend in, that’s if we’re taking part.”
