Catkins has been included in the 2015 Breeders Classic field and the consistent mare will have the chance to join Steps In Time as a back-to-back winner of the Group 2 event.
Catkins will defend her title in the 2015 Breeders Classic at Rosehill Gardens this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Catkins (barrier nine) was sent to the spelling paddock after she finished third behind Bonaria in the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day, but has been back in work for over two months and she performed well in two barrier trials at Royal Randwick on January 15 and Warwick Farm on January 27.
The Dubawi mare will jump from barrier nine in the Breeders Classic and will be chasing her fifth win from six first-up starts since she started her racing career with a win at Kembla Grange in 2012.
Catkins will be joined in the 2015 Breeders Classic field by stablemate Arinosa, who has not recorded a race win since she took out the 2013 edition of the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick in October of 2013.
Arinosa failed to fire in three race starts during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival and has not been seen at the races since she finished fifth behind Avoid Lightning in the At Sea Handicap (1100m) at Royal Randwick on May 24.
One of the most interesting horses in the 2015 Breeders Classic field is Kris Lees-trained Hera and the promising mare will be returning to Group level after finishing her spring campaign with a win in the Bradford Soundscreen Handicap (1350m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 1.
Hera (barrier six) was sent to Australia after taking out the Group 2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (2000m) in February of 2014 and she failed to fire during the 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, but connections remain confident she is good enough to compete at Group level.
Neena Rock finished towards the tail of the field in the Myer Classic, but she showed that she was capable of mixing it with the best mares in Australia when she produced strong efforts in the Group 3 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) and Group 3 Golden Pendant (1400m) before she took out the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m).
Trainer John Sargent has a high opinion of Neena Rock and he has set the Fastnet Rock mare for the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 11.
David Payne-trained Lilliburlero and consistent mare Plucky Belle will both return to the races in the Breeders Classic, while Mihiri will receive a maiden opportunity at Group level after taking out the James Boag’s Premium Handicap (1200m) at Royal Randwick on January 24.
The 2015 Breeders Classic field is rounded out by Team Snowden-trained Marianne (barrier seven), promising mare Role Model (barrier eight) and Canberra-based Just A Blur (barrier four).
