More Group 1 success for Father Patrick mare
Father Patrick mare I Am Wilma snared her second Group 1 win when victorious in the Aldebaran Park Bill Collins Trotters Sprint (1720m) at Melton on Saturday night.
The Chris Lang and Sonia Mahar trained 4-year-old led before handing up to Gandi Mail, then dashed through on the passing lane to score by a decisive 3.5m in a career-best mile rate of 1:53.
It was I Am Wilma’s 10th career win, taking her earnings to $175,330.
Bred by Wayne Schulze, she is out of the stakes-winning Angus Hall mare Aleppo Jewel.
In New Zealand, Father Patrick’s brilliant 3-year-old daughter Duchess Maria was a stunning winner at Invercargill, scoring by three and a quarter lengths after starting from a 30m handicap.
The Nathan Williamson trained filly has now won five of her six starts and earned just over $125,000.
Bred and raced by John and Katrina Price, Duchess Maria is out of Maria Tsarina, a Muscle Hill mare.
Father Patrick also sired a winning double at Addington on Friday night, with the well-related 2-year-old Paramount Royalty winning on debut and Dreams Pat also successful.