Lady Catalina has finally achieved a Stakes race victory on Oaks Day at Flemington.
The three-year-old, sired by Written Tycoon and out of Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Away Game, had been a source of considerable frustration for trainer Ciaron Maher. However, she put those concerns to rest with a win in the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Following a successful debut at Newcastle earlier in the year, Lady Catalina had been unable to add to her win tally in her subsequent seven starts at Stakes level.
Her most recent outing saw Lady Catalina compete in benchmark 70 grade at Cranbourne, where she was defeated despite starting as a strong favourite.
Trainer Ciaron Maher made a jockey change, bringing in Blake Shinn to ride Lady Catalina ($20). She managed to withstand a determined challenge from the $1.90 favourite, Sequinned, winning by a mere nose, with Semantics ($8) finishing in third.
Lady Catalina was one of two runners from the Maher stable, although Calamari Ring was a late scratching at the barrier.
“That’s racing, isn’t it,” Maher commented.
“We had Calamari Ring pulled out, didn’t get her opportunity, and obviously the horse’s health is first and foremost, and then we win the race with a $16 shot.
“How good?”
Maher admitted he thought the favourite had edged ahead of his mare in the closing stages.
“This horse races in John Stewart’s colours, Resolute Racing, and we paid a pretty penny for her at the Magic Millions sale, $1.8 million,” Maher stated.
“She’s out of a great mare that we trained, Away Game, so she’s justified her price now, and she had a beautiful ride by Blake.”
Jockey Blake Shinn indicated that Maher’s instructions were straightforward: allow Lady Catalina to dictate her own pace.
“She was probably the first out, and I was just able to get her into that nice rhythm, and she was able to just absorb pressure and then build off that,” Shinn explained.
“I was able to keep probably a length up my sleeve when the other horses challenged me and then she was able to find and just save a little bit for the end.
“She’s a beautiful filly, really just got a great demeanor about her.”
For those interested in the racing action, check out the latest betting markets for the race.