Darren Beadman wins on Ortensia in the G.H. Mumm Stakes. Photo coutesy of Getty Images

Six-year-old mare Ortensia had her first up run for the Messara team in the Listed G.H. Mumm Stakes over 1100 metres at Flemington on Crown Oaks Day. In a brilliant display of racing the mare settled mid-field and jockey Darren Beadmen asked the mare to accelerate 300 metres from the line. In her trademark fashion, Ortensia extended magnificently and passed the post two lengths in front. In what seemed like an effortless performance by the Tessta Rossa mare, Beadmen commented “She idled the last furlong, so it was a pretty good effort”.

“This was the most nervous I've been at the races for a long time” Paul Messara said. Original plans for Ortensia were to go to stud this season, however her connections saw her galloping around the paddock and thought they would give her one more chance. With the owners based in Scone and Paul being local he secured the rights to train the mare after previous preparations with Tony Noonan. Having the mare for the first time at this stage in her career Messara was uncertain if he had done enough, or perhaps too much. “The pressure was on with this horse and she delivered.”

After her impressive run, Paul now looks ahead for Ortensia and is considering sending the mare overseas to New Zealand to contest the Group One races on offer over the Summer Carnival.