Barrier trial to decide Catkins future
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25 Feb Barrier trial to decide Catkins future

Posted at 04:00h in Racing by

Popular grey mare Catkins (Dubawi x Salix Caprea) will be given one more chance to show Chris Waller she still has a future on the racetrack.

Waller said he would make an important call on Catkins’ when the six-year-old was put through her paces in a genuine barrier trial test at Rosehill on Monday.

The winner of more than $2 million in stakes after 16 victories and 13 placings, Catkins has reached the crossroads of her career after disappointing her legion of fans in a lacklustre return to racing.

Catkins couldn’t beat a runner home in the Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill last Saturday, leaving her trainer dumbfounded.

“I don’t really find that horses give up like that but in saying that she’s not pulling up distressed, she’s certainly not sore,” Waller said.

“She just doesn’t get beaten like that.”

Waller said Catkins would be asked a serious question in a 900m barrier trial in which first-up Expressway Stakes winner Our Boy Malachi is expected to be among her opposition.

“She doesn’t necessarily have to win but she has to be impressive. She will be made to do something,” Waller said.

Should Catkins do enough to convince Waller to push on into the autumn, she will be afforded the opportunity to claim the Group One race that is missing from her outstanding record.

“If she has one more run it will be in the Coolmore Classic over 1500 (metres),” Waller said.

AAP TURF