Trainer Tony Gollan is delighted with the condition of Looks Like The Cat heading into the 2014 Caulfield Guineas and believes the talented gelding has his best chance to turn-the-tables on Rich Enuff in the Group 1 event at Caulfield this weekend.
Looks Like The Cat is the only horse that has finished close to Rich Enuff during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Looks Like The Cat finished second behind Rich Enuff in both the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on September 13 and the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on September 28 and Gollan admits that the Written Tycoon colt will prove tough to beat in the Caulfield Guineas, but told Racing Ahead that he is confident the step-up to the mile will suit Looks Like The Cat.
“I guess if I was going to it would be at a mile or further,” Gollan said when asked if Looks Like The Cat can beat Rich Enuff.
“He is obviously way too sharp a horse for us at 1200 and he was really good at 1400 in the Guineas.
“We are not brave enough to say that we can, but I think my best chance to beat him is at the mile.
I have no concerns at all that the mile is his trip at this stage of his preparation and I think that he will get out to even further.
“I am really happy with the horse and I think that he has come on.
“Fitness wise I probably didn’t have him all that much room to move, he is a pretty fit horse, but his coat has certainly come on, he is very well in himself and his work has been terrific.”
Looks Like The Cat was settled just worse than midfield in both the Danehill Stakes and Caulfield Guineas Prelude and Gollan said that he would like to see the three-year-old settled closer to the speed in the Caulfield Guineas, but admits that his chances were not helped when he was allocated barrier 9 at the Caulfield Guineas barrier draw yesterday.
“I hope that he can be (closer to the speed),” Gollan said.
“He has still drawn a little bit awkward again, he did end up a pair back further than we wanted to be last start.
“I’m not sure where we will end up in the run in this race at this stage.
“Most of the speed is drawn outside and hopefully we can find the right spot in the first 100 or so minutes.”
Looks Like The Cat is currently available at Caulfield Guineas odds of $5.50, while Rich Enuff remains clear favourite at a quote of $2.40.
