It was almost 10 years ago to the day when now Pakenham-trainer Peter Moody and his stable jockey Luke Nolen enjoyed the spotlight on the biggest stage in world racing.
Moody, Nolen, and their mighty mare Black Caviar arrived at Royal Ascot on June 23, 2012, to take on the best sprinters in the world in the Group-1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m).
As history now shows, Black Caviar would narrowly win the 22nd race of her unbeaten 25-start career despite Nolen famously sitting quietly on the champion mare in the dying stages of the race.
Black Caviar had the world watching on in awe, with even the Queen asking for a pat of the mare after the thrilling conclusion to the race.
Fast-forward 10 years and a heavy-10 maiden win at Geelong might not have the glitz and glamour associated with Royal Ascot…but it could be the launching pad of a potential high-class career.
Moody’s two-year-old gelding Chaseton made a meal of his opposition on Friday.
The son of Capitalist/Air of Mystique was well prepared for his first trip to the racecourse in the $35,000 Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1125m).
The only question for Nolen, who would pilot the gelding on debut, was would he handle the extremely heavy ground.
“He’s had a number of jump outs and he seemed to work through the soft ground okay earlier this week,” Nolen said post-race.
“He was good, I was confident a long way out that he would let go, and he did, it was a really encouraging debut.”
When pushed further, Nolen said he didn’t think Chaseton was a mudlark, but simply had a class edge over his rivals…racing away after dictating terms from the front for a three-length victory.
“I think it’s the latter (class), and I think he’ll be equally impressive on top of the ground,” he said.
“But it’s encouraging to know he can handle the softer conditions.
“We won’t be scared of any track conditions when we go to the races now…he’s ticked that box.
“He’ll be placed to advantage now and then they’ll raise the bar when they need to.”
