Waterhouse pair in fine order for Golden Pendant

The Gai Waterhouse pair of Amanpour and Arabian Gold are in fine order as they prepare for the Group 2 $400,000 Ronald McDonald House Westmead Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Arabian Gold, white with pink striped sleeves, beating Catkins, all cerise, in the 2014 Golden Pendant at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Arabian Gold, white with pink striped sleeves, beating Catkins, all cerise, in the 2014 Golden Pendant at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Arabian Gold has drawn barrier one in the small eight horse field of mares while Amanpour came up with the six marble.

Waterhouse has reported that both mares have worked nicely on the tracks since their first up Spring Carnival appearances and she expects both to make their presence felt.

Group 1 Queen Of the Turf Stakes winner Amanpour was never in the hunt first up when eleventh to Winx in the Group 2 $200,000 Theo Marks Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 12 but Waterhouse said that she always improves with a couple of runs under her belt.

“Mark Newnham (work rider) was ‘very happy’ with Amanpour who has come through her first up run really well,” Waterhouse wrote on her website.

The Group 1 winner worked over 1200m (Monday) at three-quarter pace coming home her last 200m in 12.5 seconds. This mare always improves into a preparation, so stick with her as she is only going to get better and better.”

Arabian Gold was sent out the favourite for the Group 2 $175,000 Tattersalls Club Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on September 5 at her first run for the Waterhouse stable and she tried hard before finishing fourth to Hooked with Blake Shinn in the saddle.

Kerrin McEvoy was on hand on Monday to partner the grey mare in her early morning hit out but Tommy Berry will take over the reins in the Golden Pendant.

“Kerrin McEvoy noted that the Epsom bound Arabian Gold ‘feels good.’ The grey mare worked brilliantly over 1400m at three-quarter pace coming home her last 200m in 13.8 seconds,” Waterhouse wrote.

“This was such a good gallop, and the mare really does look a picture as we speak.”

Both the Waterhouse mares will have to be at their very best if they are going to beat the Chris Waller trained Catkins on the weekend even though they both have a victory over the her in the last twelve months.

Arabian Gold was able beat Catkins in last year’s Golden Pendant while Amanpour had the better of the Dubawi mare when the pair ran the quinella in the Group 1 $1m Cellarbrations Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick during the Sydney Autumn Carnival earlier in the year.

But Catkins resumed from a spell with a brilliant win in the Group 3 $125,000 Irresistible Pools Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on September 12 and reports from the Waller stable are that the popular mare has improved since.

“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.”

Catkins has been posted as the odds on favourite at $1.55 for the Golden Pendant at Ladbrokes.com.au with Arabian Gold the second pick at $4.80 while Amanpour is at the longer odds of $14.

Golden Pendant market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $1.55 Catkins, $4.80 Arabian Gold, $11 Slightly Sweet, $14 Amanpour, $15 Peeping, $19 Berry Delicious, $21 Two Blue, $26 Vergara.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.