During the Brierly Steeplechase at Warrnambool, Steven Pateman recalled trainer Ciaron Maher’s race-day tips while descending the hill aboard Stern Idol.
Pateman sat on Tuesday’s $2.10 favourite through the Tozer Road double in the 3450m showpiece, headlining the opening day of the Warrnambool Carnival’s three-day program.
“When I’m in a race, I can hear Ciaron’s instructions in the back of my mind,” Pateman told racing.com.
“And Ciaron actually said, don’t be dragging him around that turn, a big horse and with that recent rain on the ground.
“He did slip a little bit on the ground, and it was probably lucky that Aaron Lynch booted up (on Castrofrancaru), and I didn’t start pulling him around.”
Stern Idol managed a modern record impost of 75kg on the way to winning Tuesday’s event, bettering the 73kg from his 2024 success.
The gelding was in front until the hill’s bottom where he was passed, only to retake command 1000m out and score by 4-½ lengths from Hit The Road Jack ($2.60), with Castrofrancaru ($15) 2-½ lengths further behind in third.
When Stern Idol lost the lead after the Tozer Road double, Pateman observed it motivated the horse.
“Once they headed him, he said ‘hang on a minute’,” Pateman said.
“He felt like he had 55 kilos on his back, not 75 (kg). He’s a big unit and I’m just lucky.
“He’s super special.”
Maher treasures his Warrnambool visits annually, starting his career as a jumps jockey and with a tiny stable in the seaside spot.
Though now running a top-tier Australian stable, he keeps a fondness for the jumpers, and Stern Idol provided his fifth Brierly Steeplechase score.
Maher admitted unease as the other contenders jumped inwards across Stern Idol to the proper path but hailed Pateman’s unflappability.
“I was a bit nervous at the bottom of the hill, but Steve was cool, calm and collected,” Maher said.
“He’s been such a good horse over a number of years, and it is a credit to the entire team and the owners as well.”
Head to betting sites offering the keenest racing odds for the Brierly Steeplechase.
