Champion trainer Ciaron Maher has never had a tougher two year-old than Away Game, who started eight times at two for four wins, and he produced her first winner as a broodmare at Newcastle on Tuesday.
Lady Catalina had one trial at Hawkesbury earlier this month and the daughter of Written Tycoon was sent off as favourite in the open 900m maiden today with Zac Lloyd to ride.
The filly was doing her best work to the line to win by a length and a half.
She carries the colours of US owner breeder John Stewart’s Resolute Racing and was a $1.8million Magic Millions purchase from Yulong for Resolute Bloodstock/Ciaron Maher Bloodstock.
Lady Catalina was bred by Yulong and is the first foal for Away Game, who they purchased for $4million off the track at the 2022 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
By champion sire Snitzel, Away Game has had a smooth start to her stud career with her next foal a colt by Written Tycoon that passed in at Magic Millions followed by a weanling filly by Pierata.
Last year, Away Game was one of 142 mares that went to Yulong’s good looking young Written Tycoon stallion First Settler, who stands at a fee of $11,000.
