First Australian winner for Father Patrick

Keayang Xena became the first Australian bred winner, and the third winner from just four down-under first crop 2-year-old starters for Father Patrick with a flawless front-running display at Bendigo on March 31.

A short priced favourite on debut, the Paddy Lee trained filly trotted away perfectly from the standing start and easily found the lead from the outside of the front row. Once in front, Keayang Xena never gave her rivals a look in and dashed clear in the straight to win by 7.5m.

Bred and raced by the Levarg Racing Group, Keayang Xena is the first foal of the very quick Muscles Yankee mare Keayang Yankee, a winner of nine races with a lifetime mark of 1:55.4.

Father Patrick’s other first crop winners to date are the New Zealand bred youngsters Have No Fear and La Reina Del Sur, whom are both out of Sundon mares.