Shooting To Win has had an impressive run of late and he looks to have another likely type in the Henry Dwyer-trained filly Ms Catherine who made a winning career debut at Bendigo on Thursday.
With Georgina Cartwright in the saddle, Ms Catherine led at every call to defeat Hot In Paris (Sizzling) by one and a quarter lengths with the favourite Ling Ling (Magnus) a further one and a half lengths back in third.
There was some support in the betting ring to suggest Ms Catherine had then support of the stable.
“She’s a filly we have liked for a long time although she has been a work in progress, but it was good to see her put it all together,” stable representative Matt Jenkins said.
“We’ve taken it slow with her she has been a highly-strung filly and we have never wanted to fire her up too much.
“I am not really sure where her ceiling is. She was very impressive today; she is very well bred so we will be mindful of her residual value. It’s good for the Bongiorno family who have been really patient. She is a three-year-old having her first start so hopefully she can go on with it.”
Ms Catherine is raced by his breeder Tony Bongiorno along with his brother Joe, who also bred and raced her dam, the very slick sprinter Lucky Diva.
A daughter of Perugino, Lucky Diva was an 11-time winner including the Group III MRC Hyderabad RC Stakes.
A half-sister to three other winners including the Group III winner and Group 1 Sydney Cup third Spirit Of Westbury (Sir Tristram), Lucky Diva is out of the dual Listed stakes-winner Lucky With (Voodoo Rhythm) from the family of the champion racehorse and stallion Century.
Lucky Diva has not been as productive at stud as she was on the track but she has a yearling full-sister to Ms Catherine and was covered by Deep Field last spring.
