It was mission accomplished for trainer Mitchell Pateman at Ascot on Sunday as the pressure valve was released.
His promising filly Glasgow Lass secured black type status for the first time with a strong victory in the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m).
Bouncing back after two unlucky starts to begin her campaign, Glasgow Lass prevailed by a long neck under the guidance of jockey Lucy Fiore.
Machine Gun Gracie put in a strong performance to finish second, while Twilight Tale was another ¾ of a length back in third place.
Breaking through for a maiden stakes success not only affirms the faith placed in Pateman but also significantly boosts Glasgow Lass’s WA Oaks prospects.
The filly’s third win in just five starts validates a commitment made by Pateman to Melbourne-based breeding powerhouse Yulong Farm, which bred her.
Originally purchased for $28,000 by former Perth trainer Justin Warwick at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale, Glasgow Lass caught Yulong’s attention after her debut win in January last year.
Although Pateman initially expected her to move interstate, Yulong instead opted to keep her in Perth under his care.
That decision paid off handsomely in the Ascot 1000 Guineas.
“I’ve got to give a big thanks to Yulong Investments, with that many setbacks she’s had they could quite easily have taken her,” Pateman said.
“They left her here and gave me one job: get black type.
“She’s got that, so job done.”
Pateman holds deep admiration for Glasgow Lass, noting that she has endured more than her fair share of adversity early in her career.
After undergoing bone chip surgery as a two-year-old and then suffering a stress fracture in her shoulder ahead of the Ascot carnival, her resilience has been tested.
Luck was also against her in her first two runs this preparation, finishing third in the Breeders (1200m) after a wide trip and fifth in the Challenge Stakes (1500m) after being held up.
Despite these hurdles, Pateman always believed in her potential.
“She’s had a career and life of no luck, things have never worked out for her,” he said.
“I’ve been confident all prep she was flying and she should have probably won the first two she went in.
“Lucy gave her a beautiful ride and she showed how good she is.”
Glasgow Lass will now press on to the Natasha Stakes (2200m) before tackling the WA Oaks (2400m).
Pateman had no concerns about her ability to stretch out in distance.
“They did a gene test on her as a young horse,” Pateman said.
“I know over east they put a big emphasis on that.
“That test said 1800 and 2000m would be perfect for her.
“Looks like it’s pretty right and she’s on her way to a WA Oaks.”
Despite finishing second, Machine Gun Gracie lost no admirers, stepping up from a Pinjarra maiden and putting in a brave run.
Twilight Tale and Flower Of Gold, who ran fourth, were finishing strongly late.
Fiore, who had Glasgow Lass settled fourth and tracking Machine Gun Gracie, continued her excellent record in the Ascot 1000 Guineas.
She has now won three of the past four editions, adding to victories aboard Admiration Express (2023) and Constant Dreaming (2022).
The Group 3 WA Oaks is scheduled to be run at Ascot on April 5.
