Racing at Ruakaka is well-suited to Patricia and the local mare sprinted to her fourth win at the course for Rick Wells on Saturday.
A five-year-old by Super Easy, Patricia indicated she had plenty to offer in her first season of racing last term, producing a trio of victories at her home track. Returning as an older mare, she took a few starts to find that form but did so with a tidy run for second behind Pippy last start, setting her up to be a key contender in the undercard sprint race of ITM/GIB Finals day.
In a compact field of five, it was tipped to be a match race between Patricia ($3.70), stakes performer Illicit Dreams ($2.60) and Byerley Park visitor Love Affirmations ($3.30), and the script couldn’t have been more accurate, with the three going to battle down the straight.
In a sensational photo-finish, Patricia was announced the eventual winner by a short head under Sam Spratt, with Illicit Dreams collecting second place by a nose to Love Affirmations.
Wells hadn’t been sure she had got over the line on top but was delighted when the call came.
“I thought it was a huge run, I wasn’t sure she had got up at the line so I stayed back at the TV to watch the replay and I could see she just got her head in front,” he said.
“Her only option really now is an 1100m race up here, because she can’t handle heavy tracks. That is an open race, so she’ll have to race in that grade, but the time on Saturday was fairly quick so hopefully she’ll handle the step-up.”
Patricia was the 27th winner in Wells’ training career, made more special as she was a homebred and is co-owned by the local horseman.
“She’s a lovely horse to have around, a wee bit aggressive but these mares tend to have a bit of that,” he said.
“She’s push button to work, she just goes out and does her thing. She’s a real professional.”
Out of a Spectatorial mare Xpectastar, Wells also has a two-year-old full-sister to Patricia in the stable who he has plenty of time for.
“If you saw them standing side-by-side you wouldn’t think they were sisters, they are totally different looking horses,” he said.
“The filly looks a bit like Spectatorial who her mother was by, and if she was as fast as him we’d be pretty happy because he won the Blue Diamond (Gr.1, 1200m).
“She’s just started to do a bit of fast work now, we haven’t rushed her and she had a bit of a foot problem which we’ve got sorted now. We’ll probably get her to the jump-outs or trials up here then she can have a break before the spring time.
“We’re in no hurry as she’s a nice filly.”
At 71 years old, Wells describes himself as ‘mostly retired’, but receives a massive thrill out of preparing his select team.
“I’ve just got those two, I’m retired really and I enjoy just having a couple to work with. It’s especially good when you have days like Saturday,” he said.
“During the week I just get up about half-past six, have a coffee and head down to the track. I’ve got Ian Perry to ride the older horse (Patricia) and Eddie Turns rides the young one so that’s our morning.
“For the rest of the day I try not to find any more work which is quite good.”
