Patinack’s search for wins

Molson’s win in the opening race, the Star Shower 2YO Handicap (1400m), at Sandown Hillside today is testimony to the lengths Nathan Tinkler’s Patinack Farm racing operation will go to get a win.

In a similar manner to the  “travel to win” policy adopted by trainer John Hawkes when he was at Woodlands Stud, and fostered other trainers such as Peter Moody and Mick Price, the Patinack team is travelling eastern and southern Australia in search of a winner.

Molson, a filly by Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) from Canada (by Canny Lad), started her career with a 740-metre trial win at Randwick on March 26 – she made her debut 15 days later, finishing sixth behind Cyndiana Star over 900 metres at Newcastle.

Two weeks later, trainer John Thompson shipped the filly to Adelaide for a 1000-metre 2YO race at Morphettville. She filly raced in a good position, but was very one-pace before finishing seventh behind Tropical Thunder.

Thompson sent Molson back to his Melbourne base. An increase in distance saw an immediate result, with the filly running on powerfully to beat all but Female Agent (by Commands) in 1200-metre 2YO Maiden at Ballarat on May 13. It was a promising performance from a filly, indicating she would relish a further increase in distance.

That came today at Sandown, where Molson proved a shade too strong for Lee Freedman’s Population (by Shamardal (USA)), with Female Agent franking the form line by finishing third.