If jockey Kate Pateman was feeling contented and pleased with her performance on Kerman Rock last Saturday, you would be hard pressed to find anyone who would be critical.
Pateman, six months into her comeback after the birth of her second child, produced a ripper on Kerman Rock, expertly rating the seven-year-old to a comprehensive win.
As is his want, Kerman Rock slided to the front and had the field strung out, but instead of coming back to the pack he kept going and spaced his nearest rival by four lengths.
Pateman predominantly does the bulk of her riding on country and provincial tracks which made her rare foray into city ranks even more meritorious and a feather in her cap.
She had every reason to bask in the afterglow of her maiden Saturday success, but that’s not in her nature. Instead, she downplayed her role and deflected all praise to Kerman Rock and trainer, Chris Willis.
“It was my first ride in town on a Saturday, but my excitement was more about the horse and Chris Willis,” Pateman said.
“He has a big team and even since after having the kids I had ridden Kerman before I made a comeback.
“I’ve formed a connection with the horse and it was more about the work behind the scenes that was so much about Saturday.
“It’s not so much the crowd or me up in lights, it’s the people behind who have got the horse right and got it there.
“People can sort of glaze over that part, the jockey gets a lot of the praise, more than the people behind the scenes.
“He’s not an easy horse to ride but is pretty much a dude for me and it’s gone on from there.
“When I made my comeback to riding, I wanted to race him and I finally got the opportunity.”
Despite her low-key approach, Pateman hopes her win on Kerman Rock can provide inspiration for others in racing to follow.
“I guess it shows mums who have come back to the industry that we can still do it,” Pateman said.
“I haven’t been a big name throughout my career, I’ve gone ok, but nothing spectacular.
“So, basically your average joe rider can make an impression.”
It’s been pretty much plain sailing and trouble free for Pateman after four years out of the saddle, she’s notching wins regularly, but she had to overcome serious doubts before returning in the middle of the year.
“I’ve been happy with my comeback and my strike rate is going pretty well at the moment,” Pateman said.
“I honestly didn’t think I was going to come back.
“When I first started riding again, I got real nervous and I couldn’t click too why.
“I had to break in one of my horses that I bred, and I was like, I didn’t want to do this.
“I freaked out for a while and I couldn’t work out why, but it was because of the kids.
“I pushed myself to do it and I’m glad I did.
“If I didn’t do that, I probably wouldn’t be riding at all.
“I never realised how much I missed it until I got out there.”
A week further on and the Pateman-Kerman Rock-Willis combination go around again, on this occasion tackling the Glenroy Chaff Handicap (2200m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Tabtouch has the Snippetson gelding at $7.50 to go back-to-back behind Simply ($2.50), Hemlock Stone ($6) and Affluential ($6).
Not surprisingly, Pateman thinks Kerman Rock can make it two wins in as many weeks.
“I think he can if he gets the right run,” Pateman said.
“Can they keep up is the question too.
“I’ve got confidence in the horse and think he can do it.
“If they don’t want to leave us alone, I hope they can keep the pace, because not many horses can.”
Julio Santarelli