Clinical show from Catalyst
Touted as a near racecourse certainty Catalyst lived up to all the pre-race hype when he scorched to a stunning victory in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) on Saturday.
The Darci Brahma three-yearold had been backed into microscopic odds prior to the race and punters who took the $1.20 on offer never had to worry once rider Troy Harris cleared a pocket early in the run down the long Riccarton home straight.
Successful on four occasions since suffering defeat in his debut run at Te Rapa last season, Catalyst had characterised his winning performances with a devastating home straight sprint. He took that to another level this time as he put three lengths on his rivals in the space of a few strides as he burst clear at the 300m.
The Clayton Chipperfieldtrained galloper put the result beyond doubt in a few strides with Harris afforded the luxury of easing him down over the last 100m as he beat the late closing Harlech with Sherwood Forest battling strongly into third.
Harris had nothing but praise for his mount as he made his way back to the winner’s enclosure.
‘‘I’m just a passenger, the lucky guy who gets to ride him,’’ Harris said. ‘‘I knew I wasn’t going to lead and wanted to conserve him just in case he didn’t get the mile.
‘‘He just showed you can ride him anywhere and he will win. I was actually panicking turning for home as he was travelling too good. I had to say ‘whoa whoa’ but as soon as I got out, he just went bang.
‘‘He’s just one of the boys, you could go out and have a drink with him on a Saturday night as he just goes with the flow. It’s a special moment.’’
Chipperfield was quick to admit he had been feeling the pressure leading into the race and was glad it was now all over.
‘‘Christ, I am glad that is over,’’ he said. ‘‘He’s been the talk for the last three months and, holy hell, that is a lot of stress. I am absolutely chuffed that we can relax now.’’
The race was a triumph for Karreman’s The Oaks Stud with runner-up Harlech also a product of his resident stallion, Darci Brahma who took out the 2005 edition of the 2000 Guineas amongst his five Group One victories.
■ Enigmatic sprinter Sensei was on his best behaviour as he dashed away from his rivals to win the Listed Yesberg Insurance Services Pegasus Stakes (1000m).
The Dream Ahead five-yearold entire has always shown that he could become a force as a toplevel sprinter but had managed to get in his own way at times with some wayward behaviour during his races.
Fresh-up into Saturday’s Listed event on his home turf after a quiet trial at Ashburton, Sensei travelled beautifully for rider Sam Weatherley throughout before producing an irresistible finishing burst once he found clear air at the 300m.
Under a hands and heels ride, Sensei won by three lengths from Shezallmine, who disputed a hot speed throughout, while Pippi Rea made up good ground to run third. NZ Racing Desk