Catkins Upstages Bounding In Sheraco Stakes

Consistent mare Catkins upstaged odds-on favourite Bounding to record an impressive victory in the 2015 Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.

James McDonald was delighted to win the 2015 Sheraco Stakes with talented mare Catkins. Photo by: Steve Hart

James McDonald was delighted to win the 2015 Sheraco Stakes with talented mare Catkins. Photo by: Steve Hart

There was very little betting support for Catkins in the lead-up to the Sheraco Stakes and she was available at a quote as long as $7.50, but she absolutely stormed home in the final stages of the race to score her seventh first-up from nine starts.

Jockey James McDonald was booked to ride Catkins in the absence of Hugh Bowman who is currently serving a suspension and the talented hoop indicated to his rival that he would love to keep the ride on the star mare.

“She is the pride of Sydney racing and her record speaks for itself,” McDonald said.

“She is an absolute privilege to ride and it would be good to keep the ride Hughie Bowman.

“I would marry this one.”

Chris Waller has always had a soft spot for Catkins, but he was sceptical of her winning chances in the Sheraco Stakes when he was interviewed earlier in the week and he indicated that she was not as forward as she normally is for the start of her preparation.

The leading Sydney trainer admitted that he had underestimated the quality of the star mare, but he was simply delighted to see her record 16th race win from 35 race starts.

“She has certainly been a great horse for our stable and for racing followers as well,” Waller said.

“That is what racing needs, they don’t all need to be Black Caviar, but if they are winning it captures a few people.

“I apologise for talking that way, but I can only say what I see and I saw a bigger than normal horse and a more relaxed horse.

“Even in the race she didn’t have that same zip today and she was out the back when normally she is the first horse out of the gates and right on the pace.

“What I underestimated was the heart, that is bigger than most horses and it takes her a long way.”

Catkins will remain in Sydney for the Group 3 Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 26 before she likely heads to Melbourne for the remainder of her 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign.

Bounding was extremely well-backed in the lead-up to the Sheraco Stakes, but she failed to show the turn-of-foot that was present when she won at Caulfield a fortnight ago and she tired in the final stages of the race to finish third.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.