Catkins is currently available at 2015 Golden Pendant odds of $1.55 and trainer Chris Waller is very confident that the consistent mare will win the Group 2 event at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Catkins is set to start the 2015 Golden Pendant Stakes as a dominant favourite. Photo by: Steve Hart
Waller was slightly concerned about the physical condition of Catkins ahead of her first-up run in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 12 and she got out to as long as $7, but she savaged the line in the final stages of the race to record an impressive win from Echo Gal and Bounding.
The leading Sydney trainer believes that Catkins has trained on strongly since her Sheraco Stakes victory and he believes that she can make it two wins from two starts this preparation in the Golden Pendant.
“She is going good and she won well first-up when she was a bit big,” Waller said.
“It is going to be hard to fault her.
“She has drawn well and it doesn’t matter whether it is a good track or if we get a bit of rain.
“It will take a good one to beat her.”
Another trainer that is relatively bullish about his chances in the 2015 Golden Pendant is Anthony Cummings, who included Vergara in the final field for the $400,000 race that was released this morning.
Vergara returned to the races with a tough on-pace effort in the Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong on September 4 (1350m), but she could finish no better than fifth in the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle on September 18.
Cummings believes that Vergara did not perform at her best in the Tibbie Stakes, despite being beaten by less than two lengths and he is confident that she can return to her best form in the Golden Pendant.
“Her first-up run was excellent,” Cummings said.
“Second-up we raced in restricted room and she didn’t get into her rhythm at all at Newcastle and she was still only beaten a length and a half.
“I think that form is going to be pretty solid.”
Catkins is currently priced at 2015 Golden Pendant Stakes odds of $1.55 with Ladbrokes and she is a clear favourite from last year’s winner Arabian Gold ($4.60), Jason Coyle-trained Slightly Sweet ($11), Queen Of The Turf Stakes winner Amanpour ($25), Ron Quinton-trained Peeping ($15), Berry Delicious ($19) and the consistent Two Blue ($21).
