Pateman, Wolfe enjoy successful seasons

Albany trainer Steve Wolfe has capped another strong season by finishing third in the WA provincial premiership as the 2017-18 racing season wrapped up at the weekend.

Wolfe finished with 44 winners in total, 32 of which came on the provincial circuit. He was only bettered by Peter Fernie (54 wins) and Adam Durrant (54) in the provincial standings.

After winning yet another Great Southern Trainers’ Premiership, it was no surprise Wolfe’s most successful venue was his home base of Albany, where he produced 23 winners.

The astute trainer had a winning strike rate of 11 per cent and for his total of 388 runners in 2017-18, he also recorded 46 seconds and 53 third placings.

Rising galloper Gauged scored the most wins for Wolfe in the season, claiming four victories in 11 starts.

Wolfe finished ninth in the overall WA Trainers’ Premiership and his tally bettered last season’s effort of 39 winners and was his best season since 2015-16.

Fellow Albany trainer Paul Hunter had 13 victories coming at a winning strike rate of 13 per cent, bettering his eight winners in 2016-17.

Roy Rogers was the second-most successful local trainer behind Wolfe with 14 winners in total, which included the sole metropolitan success of Tango Ora.

Others with impressive strike rates were Rebecca Wallrodt (four winners at 15 per cent) and Peter Western (seven at 16 per cent).

Jockey Mitchell Pateman, who has spent time living in Albany recently, had his best season in the saddle with 74 winners, eclipsing his previous best mark of 56 in 2013-14.

Pateman finished fourth in the overall WA Jockeys’ Premiership and his 56 provincial victories placed him behind only champion hoop William Pike (66) in that respective premiership.

The 2017-18 season was a fruitful one for Pateman, who moved back to base himself in Perth, tasting 14 metropolitan victories and going at an overall winning strike rate of 17 percent.

He had 440 rides for 74 wins, 64 seconds and 66 third placings while his most successful horses were Pym’s Royale and Master Magician who he both rode to four victories apiece.

Albany apprentice Shelby Colgate finished with 15 winners, while fellow local riders Natasha Faithfull and Casey Hunter each recorded 14 victories.

Colgate also scored her first metropolitan winner of her career with Chasing Chaos.

Tenterden’s Jessica Gray, in her first season as a jockey, finished with 11 victories at an impressive strike rate of 23 per cent.