Clear favourite Catkins has produced an exceptional first-up run at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon, comfortably jogging home to win the Group 3 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) by more than two lengths from My Sabeel; outsider Neena Rock running on for third.
Catkins comfortably wins the Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart
Jumping from the gates well, the Dubawi mare settled in prime position on the heels of early leaders Maroon Bay and Echo Gal, who dictated a fair to reasonable tempo over the back straight and rounding the bend.
Finding the final straight with a clear racing line, the classy five-year-old easily caught the race leaders; finding top gear with 200m to run and comfortably pulling clear of all rivals to begin her 2014 Spring Racing Carnival in the best way possible.
Trainer Chris Waller was understandably pleased with Catkins’ performance in the 2014 Sheraco Stakes, and revealed that while confident her class would count for a lot first-up, was resulting nervous on account of expectations.
“You’ve still got to see them do it. I was nervous; these better horses and horses that you’re very close to, you take the wins and take the loses with them,” Waller said following the race.
“They’ve still got to surge away, as she did, and just a privilege to be trainer her. On the back of Red Tracer, I’m a pretty lucky trainer.
“Hughey said before the race ‘I don’t know if a mile is her distance, she could be a better sprinter or 1400m-type horse’.
“We’ll take a bit of thought into that because she just lost her way a little bit I thought in the autumn.”
Jockey Hugh Bowman delivered a perfectly-timed ride on Catkins in the 2014 Sheraco Stakes, and extended a particularly lucrative with the classy mare which has now delivered four wins and a minor place from six starts in 2014.
Yet to be confirmed for a specific path through the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival, Catkins form over distance may warrant an appearance in the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) on November 1st; an event for which she placed a close second in 2013.
