Catkins to jump from wide barrier in Emancipation Stakes

In-form Carnival jockey James McDonald will have to be at the top of his game after Catkins drew near the outside in the Group 2 $175,000 Ascend Sales Trophies Emancipation Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Catkins has drawn near the outside in the Emancipation Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Catkins has drawn near the outside in the Emancipation Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Catkins has drawn barrier ten in the twelve horse field and will be ridden for the first time by McDonald with regular rider Hugh Bowman on the sidelines due to a careless riding suspension.

Bowman has ridden Catkins on eleven occasions for six wins but opted to ride Criterion in the Group 1 $500,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on March 7 leaving Jim Cassidy to the ride the Chris Waller trained grey mare last start when second to Cosmic Endeavour.

McDonald is riding in career best form and recorded a Group 1 winning double last Saturday at Rosehill on Contributer in the $500,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) followed by a win on the Japanese galloper Real Impact in the $1m George Ryder Stakes (1500m).

Rosehill trainer Gerald Ryan has elected to stay at home with Peggy Jean after also nominating her in the Group 2 $200,000 Sunline Stakes (1600m) and the Listed $120,000 Schweppes Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

Peggy Jean has drawn barrier eight in the Emancipation Stakes and will have Golden Slipper winning jockey Tommy Berry in the saddle.

Ryan hopes that Berry has better luck than Hugh Bowman had in the Group 2 $200,000 TAB Kewney Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March 14 when the Myboycharlie filly was sandwiched in between runners at the 250m and lost all momentum before finishing sixth to Wawail.

Peter and Paul Snowden will have two runners with Gypsy Diamond drawing the inside gate with Sam Clipperton to ride while Mahara also drew well at barrier three with Blake Shinn in the saddle.

Trainers Lee and Shannon Hope have brought Madam Gangster north after winning the Group 3 $150,000 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March 7 and the filly has drawn barrier six with Craig Williams to ride again.

Trainer Clarry Conners has already scratched Dear Demi from the Emancipation Stakes after the Crown Oaks winner drew the outside gate and has elected to run her in the Group 3 $150,000 The Sunday Telegraph Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m).

Dear Demi has drawn barrier eleven with Cassidy booked to ride.

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.