Trainer Chris Waller trained the first four horses home in the Doncaster Mile last weekend and is an excellent chance of preparing the quinella in the 2014 Queen Of The Turf Stakesat Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Catkins is currently on top of 2014 Queen Of The Turf Stakes betting markets. Photo by: Steve Hart
Waller will have talented mares Red Tracer and Catkins in the 2014 Queen Of The Turf Stakes and the pair are no strangers to finishing in the top two in major races; with the duo quinellaing the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) during the 2013 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
Catkins has been one of the star performers of the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, winning the Group 2 Breeders Classic (1200m), Group 3 Wiggle Stakes (1400m) and Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) and Waller is delighted with her progress ahead of the Queen Of The Turf Stakes this weekend.
Red Tracer failed to fire in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 29, finishing tenth behind Gordon Lord Byron, but Waller believes the Dane Shadow mare can bounce back on what he hopes is an improved track this weekend.
“They are ready to fire,” Waller said on Racing Review yesterday.
“Catkins is absolutely flying and Red Tracer had a little glitch.
“I don’t think that she is real heavy track horse; yes she likes a wet track, but in a lot of those early races I think that her brilliance got her through.
“I would like to see a better track for her, but Catkins is flying and we will be well represented in most of the other races.”
Catkins is currently on top of 2014 Queen Of The Turf Stakes betting markets, at a quote of $3, and Waller informed Racing New South Wales stewards that the daughter of Dubawi would wear winkers, rather than blinkers, in the Group 1 event at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
“Trainer Mr Chris Waller has approached Racing NSW Stewards and been given permission to remove the blinkers and add winkers to the gear of Catkins, an acceptor in the Queen of the Turf Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday 19th April 2014,” the stewards release said.
“Mr Waller indicated the gear change had been the recommendation of Hugh Bowman who believes it will assist in helping Catkins settle better in the event over 1600 metres and assist the mare finishing off its race.”
Waller is chasing his first win in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes after finishing second with Red Tracer last year.
