Catechesis completed a great start to the season for Keep The Faith when she remained unbeaten at Wodonga on Monday.

The Bob Donat-trained mare was the 8th individual winner in August for the Greta West Stud stallion.  He’s currently a Top 5 sire in Victoria for winners alongside Written Tycoon (16), Magnus (10), Starcraft (11), Keep The Faith (8) and Street Boss (7).

Catechesis had broken her duck at Wodonga in June and she doubled up in the Blacklocks Ford Hcp (1590m).  The 600km round-trip from Bendigo to the border paid off for Donat who only has two horses on the books.

Her maiden win was his first result in three years!

The lightly-raced Keep The Faith mare settled on the speed on Monday and held off all challenges in the straight.  “She worked well during the week and was back in grade on a better surface,” jockey Patrick Holmes said.  “She did a bit of work early but I got a good run and she won well.”

Catechesis was bred by Greta West as was her older brother The Pantz who won 6 races in Queensland.  Their dam Ed’s Sister (Flying Spur) and second-dam Edwina (Vain) were both raced by Victorian breeder Ted Huglin.

Edwina is a half-sister to G2 Silver Slipper Stakes winner Pre Catelan.

Greta West Stud also bred recent Pakenham & Geelong winner Sergeant Hightower.  The Churchill Downs – Firhill gelding has been in work with Alison Sheehan since late last year and has only been out of the first four once in his last 15 starts.

Firhill (Marauding) has a yearling filly by Unencumbered at Greta West and the mare is slated for an early cover this year after missing to Canford Cliffs.

Keep The Faith (Sunday Silence) and God’s Own (Redoute’s Choice) both stand for a $3,300 (inc gst) fee at Greta West beside King Of Prussia (Anabaa) at a $2,200 (inc gst).

CATECHESIS
Keep The Faith mare with Bob and Bron Donat
Photo: David Thorpe / Getty Images