IT’S Catkins versus Arabian Gold in what promises to be a memorable Group 2 Golden Pendant this Saturday at Rosehill.
Catkins has earned the tag of Sydney’s darling after winning 16 of her 35 starts and more than $2 million in prizemoney.
Chris Waller’s mare is shooting for her 13th stakes win in the $400,000 feature and says Catkins has taken some improvement from her dazzling first-up victory in the Group 3 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago.
“Her weight suggested she was heavier going into that run than normal but she certainly didn’t race that way,” Waller said.
“Being a grey, it’s quite hard to tell where she’s at but she turns up on race day and that’s all that matters.
“I think 1400m is her pet distance and she’s definitely taken some benefit from her first-up run.”
The daughter of Dubawi has been in career best form this year winning three of her five starts in the autumn while her defeats saw the mare finish second — both times at Group 1 level.
A victory at the elite level has eluded Catkins throughout her career but the public don’t care. The six-year-old has developed a huge following and will be the main drawcard for Ladies Day this weekend.
Catkins is looking to avenge her defeat in last year’s Golden Pendant when she finished second behind Arabian Gold — both mares are grey and have the same sire.
The Rosehill crowd is in for a treat with the pair set to lock horns again in the Golden Pendant.
Arabian Gold ran a gutsy fourth in the Tramway Stakes first-up behind Hooked and her trainer Gai Waterhouse says the five-year-old will be ready to peak when she steps out on Saturday.
“She’s done tremendously well since then and will take a stack of beating,” Waterhouse said.
“She took on the boys first-up and more than held her own finishing just over a length off the winner..
Catkins being ridden by Hugh Bowman.Source:Supplied
“She’s improved and they’ll know she’s there.”
Waller has also hinted Kingston Town Stakes winner Silverball might drop back to the mile in Saturday week’s Group 1 Epsom Handicap.
The premier trainer never fully committed to the Metropolitan Handicap leaving his options open with the import.
“I’m not fully convinced he’s a 2400m horse and didn’t think he attacked the line that well last start over 2000m,” Waller said.
“It’s still very open where he will head and we’ll look to make a decision this week.”
Last year, Waller took He’s Your Man from a Kingston Town Stakes win back to the Randwick mile with success when the import nailed stablemate Royal Descent right on the line in the Epsom Handicap
“I’ll talk to Gerry Harvey and Claire Bird about where to head with Royal Descent,” he said.
“With the weights going up in the Epsom she’ll probably carry topweight and that makes it tough for her but we wouldn’t rule it out.
“I’d also consider the Craven Plate for her as I think she’s ready to get out to 2000m.”
Originally published as Catkins wants to dazzle in Golden Pendant
No comments:
Post a Comment