Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Mea Culpa, a seasoned Victorian performer, arrived in Western Australia two months ago without any great expectations. But the six-year-old has performed in fine style for Ravenswood trainer Nathan Turvey, with his first six starts in the State producing three wins and a second placing for stakes of $24,275.
“He is a surprise packet, and is going better than expected,” said Turvey after Kyle Symington had driven him to an impressive victory in the 2130m Retravision Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Mea Culpa was bred in New South Wales and had his first 77 starts in Victoria for eight wins and 25 placings. “Victorian trainers Debbie and Gary Quinlan recommended Mea Culpa, and they said that the horse could be up for sale,” said Turvey, who now races Mea Culpa in partnership with a Victorian friend Justin Bugg.
Mea Culpa has strong ties with Western Australia. He is the second foal out of the WA-bred mare Annas Innocent, who won at two of her seven starts in Victoria (scoring at Yarra Valley and Geelong).
Annas Innocent is out of former brilliant mare Innocent Eyes, who was retired to the breeding barn with a record of 62 starts for 18 wins, 17 placings and $421,875 in prizemoney.
Innocent Eyes, bred and owned by Bryan Cousins, won the Victorian Oaks and Australian Oaks at Moonee Valley in 2005 and the Chariots Of Fire at Harold Park the following year.
Mea Culpa started from barrier two on the back line in Friday night’s race and was the $4.30 second fancy behind the $2.65 favourite Rocknroll Elliot, who began from the No. 6 barrier and raced three wide for the first 400m before getting to the breeze outside the $7.50 chance Tinseltown.
Mea Culpa settled down in eighth position and Symington sent him forward, three wide, approaching the bell. Rocknroll Elliot got to the front 400m from home before Mea Culpa took the lead, out three wide, with 230m to travel. Mea Culpa went on to beat the gallant Rocknroll Elliot by just under a length, rating 1.57.2.