Talented mare Catkins is on track for the 2015 Tattersall’s Tiara at the Gold Coast on June 20 after she was given an easy time in a barrier trial at Warwick Farm this morning.

Catkins will have the chance to record a win at Group 1 level in the 2015 Tattersall’s Tiara. Photo by: Steve Hart

Catkins contested the fourth barrier trial of the morning over 808 metres with regular jockey Hugh Bowman in the saddle and she jumped from the gates quickly, but she was not hurried at all by Bowman and he allowed her to flop out towards the tail of the field, while Layo Layo took up the running.

The Dubawi mare track into the trial nicely coming around the turn and she was able to make up plenty of ground in the final stages of the trial despite being kept under a struggle hold by Bowman to finish fourth behind Lord Leofric, Layo Layo and Target In Sight.

Catkins has been set for the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at the Gold Coast on June 20 and she will likely have another barrier trial before she makes the trip to Queensland, where connections are desperately hoping that she can record a maiden win at the highest level of mare.

The six-year-old performed at her consistent best during the 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, but she was still unable to score a Group 1 victory.

Catkins started her autumn preparation with a narrow victory over Lilliburlero in the Group 2 New South Wales Thoroughbred Breeders  Classic (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 7 and she made it two wins on the trot when she took out the Group 2 Millie Fox Quality (1300m) at the same venue on February 21.

Trainer Chris Waller elected to skip the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) with Catkins and instead took on the boys in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Royal Randwick on March 7 where she hit the line strongly to finish second behind Cosmic Endeavour.

Catkins returned to winning form with a comfortable victory over Amanpour in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 28, but her rival was able to turn-the-tables on her when they stepped up to a mile for the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 11.

The five-year-old will be having her second straight start in the Tattersall’s Tiara after she chased home Cosmic Endeavour bravely in the 2014 edition of the race.