The Chris Waller-trained duo of Catkins and Red Tracer are currently on top of 2014 Queen Of The Turf Stakes odds and the leading Sydney trainer is looking forward to seeing the star mares clash at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Catkins is currently available at 2014 Queen Of The Turf Stakes odds of $2.80 and has been well backed to record her first win at Group 1 level. Photo by: Steve Hart
Catkins is currently available at Queen Of The Turf Stakes odds of $2.80 and has been fairly well backed during the week, while Red Tracer has remained steady at a quote of $4.
The talented pair have not clashed since Red Tracer scored a narrow win over Catkins in the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival and Waller told TVN that he is excited to see whether Catkins can turn the tables on her stablemate and record her maiden win at the highest level of racing after she stamped herself as favourite with a comfortable win in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on April 5.
“We have previously kept them apart all preparation and they will clash on Saturday,” Waller said.
“I am looking forward to it.
“Catkins is the one that is ready to take over from Red Tracer, so we will see if she can go to that level on Saturday.
“It was good to see her bounce back last year with an impressive win and the start before that under the handicap conditions of the Coolmore she wasn’t disgraced, but weight-for-age will suit.”
Red Tracer started her autumn preparation with a win in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 1 and had little luck in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Royal Randwick on March 15, but was slightly disappointing in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 29.
Waller is hopeful that Red Tracer can return to her form in the 2014 Queen Of The Turf Stakes and believes that the daughter of Dane Shadow would probably prefer a dryer track this weekend.
“Obviously her last start in the George Ryder was a little disappointing,” Waller said
“I couldn’t really make it out and I’m just not a 100 percent sure that she is as good on a heavy track.
“That might sound a bit funny, with her being a wet-tracker, but I think her class has got her there in a lot of her runs.
“Her Group 1 victory in the Myer suggests that she is just as good on a dry track, if not better.
“It would be nice to see her on a track where she can get a bit of footing and run out a strong mile.
“I can’t fault her; she had a trial on Friday and she finished off well.”
Talented filly Solicit has been well-supported to upset the Waller duo on Saturday and is now available at 2014 Queen Of The Turf Stakes odds of $6, while Gypsy Diamond has also found support at a quote of $6.50.
