Connections of the promising filly On Yer Feet were singing in the rain at the weekend after the two-year-old posted a special victory at Hastings.

The Lisa Latta-trained two-year-old overcame miserable conditions for her maiden success in the opening event on the card to provide a most worthy cause with a memorable result.

On Yer Feet is raced by Australian thoroughbred supporter Ian MacDonald, who is confined to a wheelchair, in partnership with Peter Hart and the CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust.

“We got to know Ian at the Karaka sales in 2010, then in 2011 we spent more time with him,” CatWalk founder Catriona Williams said. “He tried to buy a yearling off us but was outbid and then he came back at the end of the Premier Sale and said I’ve bought another one.

“He gifted half of the filly for life to CatWalk, which is a huge deal and it was quite emotional on Saturday. Ian and Peter own the other half and are paying all the expenses and we get the benefits, which is just so generous of them.”

CatWalk was established in 2005 by the former leading international equestrian rider, who has been confined to a wheelchair since a riding accident in 2002, to raise funds in pursuit of a cure for spinal cord injuries.

On Yer Feet, a $60,000 purchase out of the Cambridge Stud draft last year, is also backed by a number of other racing industry identities.

Trainer Lisa Latta has reduced her fee by 50 per cent, while breakers Sam and Jamie Beatson, Majestic Horse Floats, New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance, photographer Trish Dunell and Dean Hawthorne (agistment) have all supported the filly.

CatWalk will also financially benefit from the future breeding career of On Yer Feet, who is out of a three-quarter-sister to the dam of the Gr.1 VRC Oaks and Australian Guineas winner Mosheen.

“The target was the Karaka Million and we just missed out on making the cut and we’d love to get some black-type with her,” said Williams, who with her husband Sam owns Little Avondale Stud at Masterton.

On Yer Feet will get her opportunity with the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes at Awapuni on March 31 now on her programme.

Paul Vettise
Mon, 05 Mar 2012