While the larger stables of Maher and Waller commanded attention on the Caulfield Sunday card, no victory held the same personal significance as Lucy Yeomans’ win with Changing Colours in the Group 2 Stocks Stakes.
For Yeomans, who previously experienced big race success while working for Ciaron Maher, achieving a Group 2 win in her own name was a monumental moment. Changing Colours ($3.80) elevated its status from a consistent benchmark performer to a black-type winner.
The 1600-metre feature race, exclusively for four-year-old mares and above, signified the most important achievement in Yeomans’ relatively brief training career.
“It’s incredible,” Yeomans expressed. “These are the things you dream about and we get out of bed for this horse.
“She’s the one that is keeping the team alive at the moment as we’ve got all unraced horses. To have her as leading the way is really special.
“Group Two-winning trainer, sounds quite nice, doesn’t it? Full credit to the team at home. We’re a small team but we’re all good mates and we work really hard.”
The win was a special occasion for Yeomans’ partner, jockey Blake Shinn, despite his extensive record of 34 Group 1 victories.
“This is all about Lucy and forging her own business as a trainer,” Shinn commented.
“To get her first Group 2 win on the board here is really special and we just have to thank the ownership group.
“To pull this win off today is like winning a Group 1 for us, honestly. We got her as a 73-rater and now we’ve taken her to a Group 2 Stocks Stakes. Just shows how good a trainer Lucy is and is going to be. I’m just so proud of her and the horse and the team.
“It is very, very special.”
“To win a race like this with Blake aboard, he rode our first winner and now he’s ridden our first Group winner,” Yeomans added.
Changing Colours triumphed by a length over the favourite, Sass Appeal ($2.15), with Too Darn Discreet ($5.50) finishing a further 1¼ lengths behind in third.
Shinn is optimistic about targeting the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10, but Yeomans is more circumspect regarding the mare’s next engagement, weighing a spell against further racing, with the Magic Millions features in January also a consideration.
Since transferring to Yeomans’ care from Chris Waller’s stable in May, Changing Colours has been in impressive form, winning four of her five starts.
With the Toorak Handicap looming, check out online bookmakers for the latest racing odds.