Grahame Begg is looking forward to seeing Katsu running back on the straight course at Flemington.
The Listed Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m) on Saturday will be Katsu’s second appearance over the straight course having won the Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m) in December.
Katsu has been seen only once since, finishing fourth in the Listed W J Adams Stakes (1000m) on January 26 which was to be the sprinter’s lead-up race into the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield four weeks later.
However, Begg explained Katsu jarred up at Caulfield and required some paddock time before recalibrating his campaign.
“He was a bit out of sorts at Caulfield,” Begg said.
“He was a bit wound up before the race, he didn’t have a pony to go to the start with him and he was a bit on edge.
“He went to the paddock for two weeks and then came back into work.
“Caulfield might not be his track. He’s had three runs there and hasn’t quite ‘pinged’ there.
“But I knew this race was at the end of March, so I had plenty of time to get him ready, freshen him up and recalibrate.
“He had a little jump-out 12 days ago. He showed his usual speed and was very controlled in the jump-out.”
Begg and his team have worked hard on Katsu getting him to settle in his races as when he was a younger horse, he wanted to get his races over and done with.
That work was evident when successful in the Kensington Stakes, before he charged along in front in the Caulfield performance.
While disappointed that Katsu did not make it to the Oakleigh Plate, Begg said the form from W J Stakes had worked out with Queman going on to win the race.
But Begg sees Saturday’s contest as a winnable race.
“He’s drawn a good gate on Saturday to build his momentum up,” Begg said.
