Trainer Chris Waller believes that consistent mare Catkins will be very difficult to beat in the Group 2 Blazer Stakes (1410m) at Flemington tomorrow.
Catkins recorded a narrow win over Hi Belle in the How Now Stakes a fortnight ago. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Catkins followed her unlucky second place finish behind Commanding Jewel in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) with a narrow victory over Hi Belle in the Group 3 Sportingbet Sprint (1200m) at Caulfield on September 21 and Waller is full of confidence that the Dubawi mare can make it back-to-back wins this weekend.
“She is a pretty adaptable horse and her form lines will tell you that,” Waller told Racing Ahead on RSN.
“It is amazing how certain types of horses, regardless of barrier draws and track conditions, are always in the first three and she is a classic example of that.
“She was awarded with a narrow win last start but a good win all the same.
“She will be very hard to beat stepping up to 1400 metres.”
Waller has not decided on the ultimate 2013 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival goal for Catkins, with the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington on November 6 a possible option while she has also been included in the nominations for the Manikato Stakes (1200m) and Patinack Farm Classic (1200m), but admits he is already looking ahead to the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival with the four-year-old mare.
“Her form will tell us over the next couple of weeks; we will give her that chance if she is still racing well,” Waller said.
“It is a funny thing – Victorian trainers are always looking towards their big spring carnival and Sydney trainers are looking towards their autumn carnival.
“I’m already starting to think of the Coolmore as a race for her.
“It is a 1500 metre at her home track and that is how we think.
“I am probably thinking more about that than I am the Myer.”
Catkins ($5) is on the second line of Blazer Stakes betting markets behind Patinack Farm-owned Peron ($3.50), while Flying Snitzel ($8), Hi Belle ($9.50) and A Time For Julia ($9.50) have also received support.
