TEAM ATTARD BREAKS ICE WITH DEBUTANTE

FRIDAY: November 8, 2024: IT’S fair to say it was a “spirited” result!

Hawkesbury husband and wife trainers Jason Attard and Lucy Keegan-Attard broke through for their first win of the season at home yesterday with well-named mare Séance (her dam is the Singspiel mare Grave).

Having her first start and ridden by Rachel King, $14 chance Séance took the Blakes Marine 4YO & Up Maiden Handicap (1100m).

After beginning well, Séance trailed eventual third placegetter Bethsheba ($13) before gamely hitting the front in the closing stages and holding off a late charge from fellow Hawkesbury trainer Peter Green’s Roman Song ($16).

Séance, a four-year-old daughter of Cable Bay, was bred by avid racing enthusiast June Baker, who also part-owns last race runner-up Miss Spacegirl (Richmond Club Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap, 1300m).

“At last we’ve broken the ice this season after a string of minor placings,” a delighted co-trainer Jason Attard said this morning.

“And it was fantastic to do it with June’s mare.

“Séance was a naughty girl at the breakers, and was there for a long time.

“I think she gave her to us to train because I am also a breaker.

“We have taken our time with Séance, and haven’t pushed her.

“Our only instruction to Rachel yesterday was to try to get her settled in the race.

“Being Ladies Day, it was very busy and Séance handled everything well.

“I guess the win was a bit of a surprise considering it was her first start, and she has pulled up really well.”

Whilst Séance’s breeder-owner June Baker nearly clinched a Hawkesbury double, such also was the case with Team Attard.

The couple’s consistent mare Leandra ($3.10) was a game second - her second placing in succession at home - to Mah Ali ($13) in the Irresistible Pools and Spas Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m).

“We were really pleased with Leandra even though she didn’t win,” Jason Attard said.

“A Soft 5 or 6 track would have been more suitable for her, and she tried really hard.”

Leandra has been placed on six occasions on good ground, and her two career wins have been on soft tracks.

. Hawkesbury specialist Josh Parr claimed his fourth Lander Toyota Ladies Day Cup (1500m), and in the process gave leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees his first.

Parr’s victory in the Listed feature on Rustic Steel ($14) followed earlier wins – all for the Chris Waller stable – on Tromso (2013), Strawberry Boy (2014, and New Mandate last year.