Co-trainer Tom Dabernig has confirmed that Catchy will be set for the 2017 Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 14th, when she returns to racing during the forthcoming Spring Carnival.
Catchy will be set for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas in spring. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Catchy was a strong and consistent performer throughout her debut preparation in autumn, highlighted by her impressive and dominant win in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), but she was sent to the paddock after it was found she had suffered from acute arrhythmia following her lacklustre performance in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m).
While yet to contest a race at more than 1200m, the Fastnet Rock filly has reportedly furnished into an even better horse during her time away from racing and Dabernig believes that she will enjoy a step up in distance this time in.
“They’re all back in light work, just doing a gradual build up to the spring,” Dabernig told Racing Victoria.
“She (Catchy) had heart fibrillation in the Golden Slipper and that was obviously a bit of a worry for a few days but she seems great now, She’s had a good spell and she’s definitely come back in good order.
“We’ll head towards the Thousand Guineas with her and the way her pattern is, you’ll think she’ll get a mile but you never know until you try.”
Stamping herself as a filly to follow when she debuted for a smart win in the William Hill Plate (1000m) at Moonee Valley on December 9th, Catchy repeated the effort in the Peter Siggins Plate (1100m) on January 7th.
Making a successful transition to black type company when beating Limestone on the line in the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) on February 11th, Catchy flew home in the final straight at Caulfield to be crowned the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes winner and has subsequently already secured more than $1 million in prize money.
Catchy remains an outright $9 favourite in early 2017 Thousand Guineas betting markets; the only filly currently offered at single-figure odds.
