Catkins makes it look easy with Emancipation Stakes win

In form jockey James McDonald is keen to stick with Catkins for the remainder of the Sydney Autumn Carnival after the grey mare made it look easy winning the Group 2 $175,000 Ascend Sales Trophies Emancipation Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill today.

Catkins cruises away to win the Emancipation Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Catkins cruises away to win the Emancipation Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Catkins scored her fifth Group 2 victory from a total of fifteen wins in not much more than a track gallop and trainer Chris Waller will now try to win that elusive Group 1 race when he takes on the top company at her next race start.

McDonald hardly raised a sweat as he guided Catkins to a comfortable win over Amanpour and Gypsy Diamond and said that he could be the jockey to help her win that Group 1 over the next couple of weeks.

“It was just a privilege to be asked to ride this glamour mare,” McDonald said.

“I really hope she can get that Group 1 and I think they should leave me on her.”

Waller is leaning towards taking on the fillies and mares in the Group 1 $1m Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on April 11, the second day of ‘The Championships’, but hasn’t ruled out the weight for age Group 1 $400,000 Schweppes All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick the following week.

“I think the 1400m suits her better instead of a tough Randwick mile. It saying that she has never been in better form,” Waller said.

“The All Aged Stakes is against the boys and the Queen Of The Turf is against the girls so I guess it  depends what we are up against.”

“The favourite is the Queen Of The Turf. It is part of the Championship day and its worth a million dollars.”

Catkins was first to leave the barrier and McDonald was able to settle the $1.55 favourite in second position before crusing away in the straight to score a one and three quarter lengths win over Amanpour ($16) and Gypsy Diamond ($20).

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.