Champion trainer Chris Waller struck early at Flemington on Derby Day winning the first race on the program, the $500,000 Group III ATC Carbine Club Stakes (1600m), with progressive Trapeze Artist filly Panova.
This race has been used as a stepping stone to greatness previously by Waller with both Fangirl and Aeliana and like those two superstars, Panova came to Flemington off a last start win the Group III ATC Reginald Allen Quality at Randwick.
Tommy Berry rode her at Randwick and kept the ride for this tougher race against the colts. Panova settled back in the field and unwound a big finish doing her best work late to win eased down by more than a length over Regal Award (Ole Kirk) and Single Choice (Anders).
“She’s continuing on from many great horses that have won the race in the past,” said stable representative Charlie Duckworth.
“Excellent ride by Tommy (Berry), he didn't panic and just when the race sort of separated into two divisions in the early stages, I was obviously a little bit worried because it becomes a bit of an issue, but he just had plenty of faith in the horse.
“He could rely on the fact that she's got a good turn of and we were confident she'd stay out in the distance well.”
A $325,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Kenmore Lodge draft, Panova runs for B2B Thoroughbreds and was bred by John Ramsey of Turangga Farm.
With two wins and two placings from five starts, Panova has won over $463,000 and is the first foal of Love Me Quietly, a winning half-sister by Trusting to Group III winner Charge from the family of Group winners Elite Falls and Niagara Falls.
Love Me Quietly has a 2YO colt by Castelvecchio that sold for $90,000 at Magic Millions this year and a yearling filly by The Autumn Sun to follow. She was covered last year by Ozzmosis and produced a colt last month.
Panova looks a rising star for Widden Stud’s Trapeze Artist, who stands at a fee of $33,000.
