York Cup-winning jockey Holly Watson has revealed the tactical mind games she and trainer Mitch Pateman have used to trigger evergreen galloper Sowar’s zest for racing.
The former Albany warhorse charged to the lead half-way through Sunday’s $70,000 Avon Valley feature over 1920m, after being taken back to last in his previous 1800m run at Ascot. Watson said the nine-year-old had thrived on the change of tactics and just loved to race.
Pateman had successfully canvassed the change of tactics with Racing WA stewards before the York Cup, which attracted a bumper crowd of more than 2200 people.
“Mitchell just tricks him every time he comes to the races with something different for him,” Watson said after piloting Sowar to a narrow victory over Ginger Green, with Autumn Rebel back in third place.
“Last start, he was over 1800m and he went back and obviously, today leading on him made that difference. There is also different work for him all the time for him at home, a mix of freshening and working and just everything a bit different.”
Sowar, who was previously prepared by champion Albany trainer Steve Wolfe, cost just $18,000 as a yearling and has now amassed more than $574,000 in prizemoney. The evergreen gelding joined Pateman’s stables in February last year and the York Cup was the third win for his new trainer.
“He’s had 92 starts and he’s just a gem … a marvel of a horse, an absolute warhorse,” Watson said.
“He’s one of our soundest horses and just a jet. He’s cheeky and stubborn – a bit like his trainer – but once you get a handle on him, he’s so good.
“He can be cuddly at times, but he definitely likes to get the job done. He just loves his job and it’s great to see him out there continuing his racing.”
Watson also said the annual Country Cups circuit, which includes York, was an important lifeblood for the WA industry. Regional racing contributes nearly half of the $1.3 billion in economic value the WA racing industry delivers to the State annually.
“It means a lot to us to come out here and it’s so nice to win at these country tracks,” she said.
“The crowds get quite big and it’s a great atmosphere. They are very important events that keep our spirits high and keep the racing ticking over.”
Steve Butler