Jason Coyle admitted he almost scratched Catch The Glory from the The Warra multiple times, but his choice to press ahead proved inspired when the mare snatched an important stakes-level triumph.
The original plan was to target the upcoming Starlight Stakes (1100m), yet a smaller-than-expected field in the The Warra (1000m) prompted Coyle to reassess.
He remained uneasy about predicted rain, and once the showers arrived, he reconsidered again — only for the decision to be made for him when Zealously was scratched early due to the track downgrade.
“I thought I’d have a look at the track when I got here (to Kembla Grange), and then I looked at my phone and Peter (Snowden) had already scratched (Zealously),” Coyle said.
“He beat me to it, and lucky he did.
“I know she tries hard and even if she didn’t let down as good as she possibly could, I knew she’d still run a race.”
Partnered by Jason Collett, the mare switched to the better ground out wide and surged powerfully to overhaul The Black Cloud ($4 fav) in the shadows of the post.
Sunrise ($4.20) showcased resilience on the speed, holding third and lifting local spirits.
Coyle confirmed that the The Warra would be her lone spring appearance, noting her short turnaround and the desire to build her toward a stronger autumn campaign.
“That will be her done for this preparation,” he said.
“We’ll tip her out, give her another nice break and hopefully in the autumn, I feel like she has got another level to give.
“Her rating will go up. She is a stakes winner now. She came in for one of the two races, and we’ve knocked that off.”
Coyle’s training accomplishments already include two Group 1 victories — the 2009 Champagne Stakes with Onemorenomore and the T J Smith with Linky Dink while at Patinack Farm.
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