Catkins recovers for Tattersall’s Tiara

Sydney’s premier trainer Chris Waller is looking to have three runners in the Group 1 $500,000 Sky Racing Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday including Catkinswho is recovering from a minor leg injury.

Catkins recovers from minor leg injury for the Tattersall's Tiara

Catkins recovers from minor leg injury for the Tattersall's Tiara. Photo by Steve Hart.

Catkins had to be scratched from the Group 2 $200,000 VIRBAC Animal Health Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 7 after hurting herself in her stable but Waller is confidence that she will be fit to join stablemates Red Tracer and She’s Clean in the Group 1 for the fillies and mares.

“She will be fine,” Waller told AAP.

“She banged a leg and had to be treated for it.

“She galloped last Wednesday and again on Saturday and the reports are all good.”

A Group  1 win is not far away from Catkins who has been placed twice from three attempts at the top level, but first she will have to get past Red Tracer who beat her by a head in the Group 1 $500,000 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington over the Melbourne Cup Carnival last Spring.

The grey mare’s other Group 1 placing was a third to Steps In Time in the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill on March 22 before scoring a comfortable win in the Group 2 $175,000 Ascend Sales Trophies Emancipation Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on April 5.

Stablemate Red Tracer will be attempting to win back to back Tattersall’s Tiara and will strip a lot fitter after a first up tenth to River Lad in the Group 1 $1.36m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 7.

She’s Clean is also likely to be nominated but would have to improved dramatically to be in contention after being unplaced at her two runs during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

The Redoute’s Choice mare was beaten just over four lengths when fourth to Srikandi in the Listed $100,000 Designline Graphics Juanmo Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on May 17 then finished two and three quarter lengths fifth to Ellawisdom in the Listed $100,000 Channel Seven Bright Shadow Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm on May 31.

Stradbroke Handicap third placegetter Srikandi and Coolmore Classic winner Steps In Time are also among the nominations for the Tattersall’s Tiara.

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.