Patinack Farm-owned colt Ferment (2 c Husson – Catalyst, by Tabasco Cat)
overcame some difficulties in running to score an impressive debut win at
Caulfield on Saturday.

Ferment gave Jamie Mott a difficult ride, throwing his head around when restrained early and then dropping the bridle into the straight but he
showed plenty of natural ability to finish too well for his rivals in the $70,000 Laura Butcher Memorial Plate (1100m).

In winning Ferment sent his sire back to the head of the Australian and New Zealand First-Season Sires’ list, his four winners from runners to date
having accumulated $123,700.

Ferment has tested the patience of those around him but there is no doubting his ability. Melbourne stable manger Glen Thompson said Ferment is “a professional when he’s running, he just needs to behave a bit better at other times.”

“He’s got a few tricks up his sleeve and has done a good job to get here and get through the race. He’s got an awful lot of ability and if he can put it
all together then I believe he has the makings of a smart colt,” Thompson said, before adding, “although that status could be up for review.” referring to the possibility of Ferment being gelded.

Jamie Mott wasted to take the ride Ferment at 56kg but the effort was worth it and the jockey said he feels the colt could measure up to better races.
“He is definitely up there with the best two-year-olds,” Mott said. “He acts up a fair bit but if they can get on top of that he should be up to the good
races.”

Mott has ridden 27 city winners this season from limited opportunities because of his weight. “It wasn’t easy getting down to 56kg but I didn’t kill myself to do it,” Mott, who is based at Flemington where he is tied to the Russell Cameron stable and helps out with the Patinack team when necessary, as Glen Thompson says, “He has been helping us out quite a bit and we try and pay him back with as many rides as we can.”

Patinack Farm paid $60,000 for Ferment, who is inbred 5 x 5 to Missy Baba, as a weanling at the Magic Millions National Sale and the $42,700 he earned yesterday gives unbeaten champion Husson (Hussonet) earnings of $123,700 and four winners to head the First-Season Sire table by earnings and winnings.