The unbeaten record of three-year-old Sessions came to an end at Rosehill on Saturday as consistent filly Catkins turned the tables on the drifting favourite.
Sessions opened at $1.40 before starting at $1.85 in the Hollywood Fashion Secrets Handicap (1300m) and after over-racing in front he was a spent force half-way down the straight as Catkins rushed past him.
Catkins ($4) went on to score by a convincing three lengths over Furious Jet ($7) with Sessions weakening to third, another head away.
“The five-horse fields are not doing any favours for him,” Sessions’ jockey Peter Robl said.
“He’ll be better in fields of 12 or 16 when there’s genuine speed and he can get some cover and turn himself into a racehorse.
“He just won’t relax in front.”
Stable foreman Brad Widdup told stewards trainer Peter Snowden had advised Sessions would drop in distance.
“I’ve spoken to Peter and the plan now is to drop back to 1000 metres to teach him to race,” Widdup said.
“He’s a much better horse than that.”
Sessions had won his only two starts including a first-up win over Catkins two weeks earlier when he tired late as Catkins got within a half length.
Catkins was nominated for a Listed race at Sandown on Saturday but premier trainer Chris Waller elected to stay at home and said it proved the right move.
“She’s a consistent filly and she’s beaten the mares twice this preparation and she was able to beat the colts today with a reasonable weight,” Waller said.
Waller said Catkins was likely to go for a spell with late Sydney autumn carnival races such as the PJ Bell Stakes on the radar.
“I think she’ll also be a nice filly for the Queensland winter carnival,” Waller said.
