Talented filly Cat Noir appreciated the easier assignment at Geelong when she led all the way to post her first career win.
Heavily backed at 2.20 favourite and sporting a shadow roll for the first time, the daughter of Merchant Navy, controlled the race and booted clear in the home straight to land Thursday’s Roderick Insurance Brokers Maiden Plate (1530m).
African Pioneer ($4.60) finished second two lengths away and Dashing Rebel ($13) was third.
Trainer Jamie Edwards said Cat Noir had been racing well but had run into some classy horses in recent runs including stakes performer United Kingdom at Geelong three starts ago and Adelaide stakes winner Quickster last start.
“She has been racing in very strong grade and been more than competitive against some really good horses,” Jamie said.
“This was a step down from that level by replacing blinkers with a shadow roll she settled really well in front.”
“I think she is a pretty high-quality filly, and her pedigree tells me she will get even further than 1500m.”
Her High Chaparral dam Miss Dubois was a winner up to 2000m fuelling hopes that Cat Noir could do the same.
Jockey Jye McNeil rode Cat Noir when she chased home United Kingdom at Geelong and said she relaxed better in front on Thursday.
She has a high cruising speed, and she was managing herself well in the lead,” Jye said.
“She travels very strongly and gave a good strong kick to go on and win the race.”
Jamie said the filly was a credit Fernrigg Farm who bred the horse and are the managing owners of the filly.
James Edwards helps out Fernrigg with their yearlings at the sales which led to the stud’s association with Emsley Lodge and Cat Noir joining the stable.
“We’re very fortunate to be given this horse to train and hopefully it is the first of many more wins for Fernrigg,” Jamie said.
Cat Noir was the first leg of a winning double for the stable which later had success with Hellofastorm.