WELL TRAVELLED MARE SURPRISES WITH FIRST-UP STAKES WIN. CAN NOW LAY CLAIM TO A UNIQUE RECORD

By Scott Gooley | Sunday, May 12, 2019

Scone is a long way, both figuratively and literally, from the big racing complexes of Keeneland in the United Stakes and the world-renowned Royal Ascot in the UK, but 5yo mare Con Te Partiro can now lay claim to the unique feat of having won Stakes races at all three tracks after taking out Saturday’s Group 3 Dark Jewel.

Purchased as a potential broodmare by Henry Field of Newgate Farm for $575,000.00, the initial plan was to mate her with Newgate’s stallion, Russian Revolution, however, having impressed connections since her arrival, that plan was shelved and the daughter of Scat Daddy was sent to the stables of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

“She worked well and she was only going to be in the paddock at Newgate getting fat, so we thought why not give her a chance to improve her record,” Field said in the lead up to Saturday’s race.

“It’s a good chance for her to make some money,” Field continued and with Saturday’s victory came $97,600 and the possibility of significantly more given she’s entered for next month’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap in Brisbane and also, more than likely, the Tattersall’s Tiara.

Despite two solid trials in the lead-up to Saturday’s outing, Con Te Partiro was an unwanted commodity in the betting ring, drifting noticeable from $10, out to a SP of $18.

Her jockey Sam Clipperton would’ve agreed with the market assessment with 200m to run, but like punters, was left surprised by the victory.

“Rachel King (Organza) went past me at the 200 and I don’t know what it did to my horse but she found another five gears and savaged the line.”

“The last 100 meters was unbelievable.” Clipperton said.

It capped a big carnival for Sam Clipperton who rode Special Missile to victory in the Scone Cup on the previous day.