Waterhouse Bullish About Run To The Rose Contender Raphael’s Cat

Raphael’s Cat is currently available at 2015 Run To The Rose odds of $8.50, but trainer Gai Waterhouse believes that the promising colt is one of only two winning chances in the Group 2 event at Rosehill Gardens.

Gai Waterhouse is very bullish about the chances of Raphael's Cat in the Run To The Rose at Rosehill Gardens this weekend. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Gai Waterhouse is very bullish about the chances of Raphael’s Cat in the Run To The Rose at Rosehill Gardens this weekend. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Raphael’s Cat overcame a nasty check to record his maiden race win on debut at Rosehill Gardens on February 25, but Waterhouse elected to send the colt for a stint in the spelling paddock after he finished seventh behind Tarquin in the Group 2 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14.

The Redoute’s Choice colt returned to racing with a comfortable victory in the More Than Ready At Vinery Handicap (1200m) at Canterbury on August 19 and he did enough to convince Waterhouse that he was worthy of another chance at Group level.

Japonisme is a dominant favourite in Run To The Rose betting markets and Waterhouse admits that the San Domenico Stakes winner is the horse to beat, but Waterhouse is confident that Raphael’s Cat is more than capable of scoring an upset.

“This is an exceptionally winnable race,” Waller said.

“When Japonisme started the other day he didn’t start 6/4, he started 6/1 and he was just too smart and sharp for the others.

“He might be the same tomorrow, but I think in this race there is only one or two chances and this colt is definitely one of them.”

Raphael’s Cat has not been included in the nominations for the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) that will be held at Rosehill Gardens on September 12 and Waterhouse revealed that she plans on keeping the three-year-old to sprint trips.

The Group 2 Roman Consul Sakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 3 is the on the agenda for Raphael’s Cat if he performs well in the Run To The Rose and he could also make the trip to Melbourne for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on Victoria Derby Day.

“If he makes the grade and if he were to run in the first three, I would recommend to stay in Sydney and run in the Roman Consul,” Waterhouse said.

“Then I would very seriously consider taking him down to Melbourne for the Coolmore.

“He is a speed horse, he is a son of Redoute’s and he is very lovely and very fast dam lines.”

Japonisme is currently available at 2015 Run To The Rose odds of $2.45 with Ladbrokes and he is clear favourite from Exopshere ($4.60), Press Statement ($5), Holler ($7.50) and Raphael’s Cat ($8.50).

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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.