Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne is expecting unbeaten gelding Pattern to graduate to better races after his victory at Flemington.
Following a debut win at Echuca on New Year’s Eve, Pattern headed to the metropolitan area for the Seascay Handicap on Saturday.
Pattern
But Payne said the big Group One three-year-old races during the autumn may come too early for the son of High Chaparral.
“The Australian Guineas, that may just be a bit soon for him,” Payne said.
“But he’s a quality horse, so who knows.”
Backed from $4.40 to $3.80 favouritism, Pattern scored a long neck win from Niccoco ($5.50) with Lahqa ($7) a half neck away third.
Pattern is raced by Lloyd and Nick Williams and Payne said she was forced to ride the gelding out of his comfort zone because of a lack of race tempo.
Despite travelling wide, Payne said she was confident until Luke Currie’s mount Niccoco rolled out slightly.
“Luke’s horse wandered out and put him off his game a bit, but as soon as I put the whip into the left hand he responded,” Payne said.
“He’s really casual the way he goes about things, but the way he pulled up and walked back, he’s a high-quality horse.”
Pattern’s defeat of Niccoco ruined what could have been a perfect Flemington day for Tony McEvoy.
McEvoy had three runners at headquarters and trained the quinella in the opening event with Lessyd and Hey Doc.
