Almighty Class to shine for Pateman at Ascot opener
Mitchell Pateman is hoping class shines through when the gates of Ascot are opened for the new season on Saturday.
The young Ascot horseman will present stable star Almighty Class at the races off the back of two excellent 950m trial wins at Lark Hill.
It will be the first time the hulking son of Playing God has been seen on race day since an unplaced effort in The Quokka (1200m) in April.
Mitchell Pateman has been buoyed by Almighty Class’ pair of trials, where Holly Watson has appeared to be in possession of a lap-full of horse.
“It’s obviously good to have him back,” Pateman said of the Schweppes Handicap (1000m) favourite.
“He’s going as good as he’s ever gone and as sound as he’s ever been. I’m really happy with him. He strikes a tough race, I thought I was taking the easy option, but I legitimately think the Crawford next week will be weaker.
“With his rating (78), he’s better off going to a couple of ratings races before going back to the deep end.”
Almighty Class has had a few niggles along the journey, but with the assistance of TeleMedVET in Ascot, Pateman is confident he is working with a healthy and happy animal.
“He seems to be really good, he’s as sound as a bell,” Pateman said.
“He’s probably the beneficiary of the new polytrack (at Ascot). At the end of last prep when he was working on the sand he was jarring up.
“This prep he’s been on the poly since the get-go and he’s been very sound. There’s never been anything major with him, but he’s really big on his joints and when the tracks get hard, he feels it. Hopefully he stays like he is and we can have some fun.
“He seems to be settling a lot better, whether that be he’s matured or the Norton (bit) I’m not sure. He really settled in both trials and hopefully he jumps and settles on Saturday and we see the best version of him.”
Pateman will also saddle up God’ll Getya in the $100,000 Max Simmonds Stakes (1000m) and Mojo Rhythm in the Mrs Mac’s Handicap (1400m).
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