This'll Testya for Lucy Warwick and Mitchell Pateman has taken out the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes, defeating a quality field of sprinters.
Jumping from barrier 12 of 15, Warwick had a job on her hands to get her mare into a good position upon settling, but there was no such trouble as she got into the three wide running line, just a few lengths of the leaders.
This'll Testya started as $7 third favourite with online bookmakers, after running two very close seconds placings behind the very smart Miss Conteki.
Warwick went for her mare at the 500m mark and latched onto the back of the leaders, before letting down with that blistering turn of foot that she possesses to claim Indian Pacific and Red Can Man, who filled the minor placings.
2022 Colonel Reeves Stakes
Mitchell Pateman has now won his first Group 3 as a trainer, after making the switch from riding to training just under 12 months ago.
“The step that she's taken, even from last prep to this prep, now we are playin' with the best horses in the state.”
Pateman said post-race that he couldn't believe how well his mare has done from preparation to preparation, and that she has now added a Group 3 to her resume.
“I've believed all prep after that first run that she was right in the mix.
“Everyone wrote her off, said she can't, won't run top 5.
“Well, what are they gonna say now?”
Lucy Warwick picked up a race-to-race double after winning the feature, the WA Champion Filles, on Admiration Express in the previous race.
“It's a really big performance by her, she's had a bit of bad luck this prep.”
Warwick explained post-race that this mare has been unlucky this preparation, drawing wide barrier and not winning races.
“She was really tractable, and she really settled today, so I could wait and not go as early on her.
“If we can draw a gate, it would be even better, but it is what is.”
Warwick finished her interview with a suggestion that if This'll Testya can draw a gate in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes next start, she will have an even better chance to win again.
This'll Testya is an $8 chance with online bookmakers in the Winterbottom Stakes markets to be raced on November 26.