Multiple Gr. 1 winning trainer Paul Perry identified Pandano as a likely type during a yearling inspection in 2017 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Globetrotting trainer Paul Perry liked Pandano the moment he spotted him in a paddock at Arrowfield Stud some weeks before the 2018 Inglis Classic Sale. Paul had been an avid fan of the six time Group 1 winner Dundeel, and was getting good reports about his progeny from fellow trainers. Pandano’s dam Milanesa (Snitzel) was an Eagle Farm 2YO winner and was already the dam of a winner.
“I liked everything about him,” said the astute trainer. “He stood out like a beacon in the paddock with a great hind end, and strong shoulder. His crooked blaze and three prominent white stockings really set him off.”
Paul liked the colt even more when he inspected him again at Riverside Stables and was thrilled to secure him at $130,000.
The astute trainer backed his judgement by keeping a slice, John Messara’s Arrowfield Group claimed a quarter, while clients Steve and Louise Gillard snapped up the remaining share.
Following barrier trial wins at Gosford and Wyong, Pandano made his debut in a 1200m maiden on the Beaumont track in January 2019. With Team Snowden represented by four runners and Godolphin producing one starter, it was no surprise to see the Perry debutant line up at 6/1. That quote should have been 6/4. Pandano coasted outside the leader for Bobby El-Issa before exploding away to win by almost 4 lengths.
It was only a maiden but Pandano gave notice of better things to come. Newcastle 26/01/2019 -
Bobby El-Issa in the saddle - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Paul elected to keep him going for the inaugural Inglis Millenium in which he didn’t look comfortable on a soft track. The Dundeel colt finished well back behind the likes of Castelvecchio, Accession and Dawn Passage. The paddock beckoned.
Pandano was still a colt when he resumed in the Spring of 2019 to finish near last in a strong Up And Coming Stakes at Randwick. He stayed at home for his next four starts which yielded consecutive seconds followed by consecutive wins at Newcastle. His ninth placing in a BM78 at Rosehill looks ordinary on paper, but he was beaten only 5 lengths and the stewards report tells the tale. He was held up in the straight and was missing plenty of skin from a hind leg after being galloped on during the race.
Just a few days later the Dundeel colt was earmarked for a routine scan when he appeared “scratchy” during trackwork. “He had a tiny bubble on the near front tendon which didn’t overly concern the vets,” recalled Paul Perry. “Convinced that this horse was still a long way off maturity, I decided to put him away for an extended rest. As it’s turned out this is the best thing that could have happened.”
This may have been what Banjo Paterson meant when he said "and he bore the badge of gameness in his bright and fiery eye". Pandano after his first win 26/01/2019 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Pandano looked very gross when he stepped out for a Newcastle barrier trial three months later - so gross in fact that Perry elected to trial him four times before looking for a race. “In view of the fact that he’d had a suspect tendon I wanted to get the weight off him gradually,” said Paul. “I was hoping we wouldn’t have to geld him but after those four trials I felt it was the wisest option. He resumed to finish fourth in a BM72 at Newcastle after which we gave him another little freshen before getting really serious.”
The astute judgement of the veteran Newcastle trainer has been vindicated by Pandano’s solid form this preparation. He finished just behind the placegetters in two Benchmark races at Randwick before beating all but Brutality in a BM88 at Rosehill. He then trailed the leader Canasta to the turn before beating Cisco Bay over the Randwick 1600m with Jay Ford in the saddle on February 13th.
That kind of form saw the Dundeel gelding start favourite at $3.30 in Saturday’s $150,000 Polytack Provincial Qualifier on a Soft 5 at Newcastle. With Jay Ford required for rides at Randwick, Paul snapped up the talented Jess Taylor for Pandano. “Jess rides on the Hunter tracks regularly and is extremely capable,” said the trainer. “She likes to ride them forward and put them into the race, which was the way I wanted our horse ridden.”
By the time the Qualifier rolled around, riders were tending to shy away from the fence. Jess wasn’t perturbed when the pacemaker Electric Girl carried her fairly wide on the corner and waited until straightening for home before stepping on the gas. Pandano let down surprisingly well under the conditions and despite wanting to duck out for a few strides, had the race in his keeping at the 200m. Jess Taylor skilfully pulled the whip through to her left hand, and needed only one flourish to get Pandano back on course.
Jess Taylor had her first ride on Pandano to score a dominant win in Saturday's Provincial Championship Qualifier at Newcastle - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Paul Perry was delighted to report that the lightly raced four year old had pulled up perfectly, but was unlikely to race again until the Polytrack Provincial Championship Final on April 10th - day two of The Championships. “I think it’s important to keep him fresh for the 1400m of the Final,” he said. “Another tough race might just take the edge off him. I’ll aim for a soft trial as we get closer, and then head straight to Randwick on April 10th.”
The Championship qualifiers continue at Hawkesbury on Sat. March 6th, followed by Gosford on March 13th. Kembla will host the fourth round on Golden Slipper day March 20th, while Wyong will round off the heats on March 27th.
For a man who has basked in the glow of Group 1 glory at Royal Ascot and saddled many a Gr 1 Australian winner, you wouldn’t expect a Polytrack Provincial Championship win to get Paul Perry overly excited. In this case it might be a little different.
When you pick an untried colt out of a small herd of yearlings there’s a matter of pride involved. He chased him at the Inglis Classic Sale, he retained an ownership share and has treated him with kid gloves from the day he entered the stables. Should Pandano strike the front in the closing stages of the Championship Final in around six weeks, I’m tipping the 72 year old trainer will give a shout Choisir, Fastnet Rock or Stratum would have been pleased to hear.
Paul Perry with the late Nathan Berry at Rosehill in 2013 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
(Banner image - Pandano (Jay Ford) scored an emphatic win in a BM88 at Randwick 13/02/2021 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.)