Taranaki trainer Robbie Patterson kicked off his assault on the stakes races at Trentham on Saturday with a bang as underrated mare Our Jumala prevailed in a titanic struggle in the Gr.3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m).
The six-year-old daughter of Zed has always shown plenty of promise throughout her career including a runner-up finish in the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m) at this time last year and finally achieved a richly deserved stakes race victory with a barnstorming finish in the hands of Joe Doyle.
A winning result didn’t look likely however, as Cambridge visitor and pacemaker Electron was still travelling sweetly in front at the 200m and looked difficult to catch as Doyle and Our Jumala were still a length or more in arrears but finishing powerfully along with race favourite Pearl Of Alsace.
Wit several powerful bounds Our Jumala hit the front in the shadows of the post to down Pearl Of Alsace by the barest of margins with Electron, between the pair, just a long neck back in third.
Patterson admitted he had always had faith in his charge and was thrilled that she finally lived up to his expectations, despite the narrow winning margin.
“I thought we had won but didn’t Pearl Of Alsace come hard,” Patterson said.
“This is great for the owners who are great mates of mine, it’s unbelievable actually.
“She is a good mare that has taken a long time to mature, a typical Zed. Let’s get into the winter with her now as she loves the cut in the track.
“I had her mother (Baltis) who won five and she was a good mare as well.
“She got a foot abscess about six months ago and everything seemed to go wrong for her, but she is a Group Three winner now so that’s great.”
Irishman Doyle, who had already won two races on the day including the FRAC Club New Zealand St Leger (2500m) aboard Wolfgang, was delighted to pick up a big-race victory for Patterson who has supported him since he began riding in New Zealand.
“Robbie said she was very straightforward, put her in behind the speed and she would have her chance,” he said.
“She was very tough and the more I asked her the more she gave even though it was only a small margin (at the finish).
“It’s nice to get a big one for Robbie as he always tries to support me, so it’s nice to ride a big winner for him.
“We couldn’t really see her (Pearl Of Alsace) as all my filly was thinking was to get by Electron, but she is very tough and honest and has been rewarded. She is a real fun one to look forward to.”
Bred by co-owner Bill Stewart out of his Al Akbar mare Baltis, Our Jumala is the younger sister of handy performer Password who successfully mixed racing on the flat and over the jumps while she is also a half-sister to stakes placed galloper Tibetan.
She has now won six of her 21 starts and $260,000 in prizemoney. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
