Popular mare Catkins continued her typically impressive run of form through the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday and is ready for a return to Group 1 company, according to trainer Chris Waller.
Catkins made it three wins from four starts this year when taking out the Emancipation Stakes over the weekend. Photo: Steve Hart
Posting a commendable race record of 15 wins and a further eleven minor place finishes through an impressive 31 start career, Catkins successfully defended her Group 2 Breeders’ Classic (1200m) crown first-up this time before continuing through the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) a fortnight later.
Finishing an agonizingly-close second to Cosmic Endeavour in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) in her only other start prior to Saturday’s Emancipation Stakes triumph, Catkins remains arguably the country’s leading racehorse yet to break through for a victory at the highest level but will be offered several opportunities this year.
“In our eyes, she’s a Group 1 winner,” Waller told the Sunday Telegraph.
“She’s been very close and run second to some good horses.
“Look, if she does (win a Group 1) she does and if she doesn’t, she doesn’t but she is going to a good opportunity which will be her next start.
“I am not 100 percent if it will be the Queen Of The Turf or the All Aged Stakes, then you’ve got Brisbane after that, then you’ve got the spring after that so she might win a few. She’s not finished yet.”
Waller has been beside himself with the continued service delivered to the stable by the talented daughter of Dubawi and is confident she will lay a great account for herself in whatever event she contests.
“She puts herself there in a race and she makes things happen,” Waller said.
“You make excuses for the other horses in your stable but you don’t make any excuses with this horse; she makes her own luck and she won with a bit up her sleeve.
“Sure we’ve got the Group 1 box to tick but she’s done everything else, it’s as simple as that.”
Unable to match the late pace of Diamond Drille when sixth in the race’s 2014 edition, Catkins is currently rated a $6 chance of success in the 2015 Queen Of The Turf Stakes with Ladbrokes Australia.
