Her never-say-die attitude has delivered back-to-back Breeders’ Classic wins for Catkins.
And it’s that quality her trainer hopes will bring an elusive Group One win this autumn.
Catkins
Placed three times at the highest level, Catkins had to dig deep to beat Lilliburlero in Saturday’s 1200-metre Group Two race at Rosehill with the margin between the pair a half head.
Catkins’ program will be aimed at the weight-for-age Queen of the Turf Stakes in April but Waller has already ruled out the Coolmore Classic in which she finished third last season.
“I think we broke her heart in the Coolmore last year when she carried 58 kilos and we won’t make the same mistake again,” Waller said.
“Group One wins are so important and the Queen of the Turf is the target.
“She is a foolproof horse and even though she had to fight hard today, she looked like she enjoyed it.”
Lilliburlero ($10) showed she may have shed her habit of slow beginnings when she jumped on terms with Catkins, the $2.10 favourite.
The pair then let Role Model ($21) take up the running to the home turn.
Lilliburlero got to the front with Catkins joining her and eventually wearing her down to get the win by a half head in a race record 1:09.34sec.
Mihiri ($5.50) led the rest, another 2-1/4 lengths away.
While Waller will avoid the Coolmore Classic with Catkins, Lilliburlero’s trainer David Payne has the race in his sights for the mare, a daughter of Group One winner Regimental Gal.
Raced by the Ingham family, Catkins has accumulated more than $1.3 million from her 28 starts which have brought 13 wins and 10 minor placings.
“She rarely runs a bad race,” Waller said.
“Her record shows that and she is lightly raced for a six-year-old so hopefully there is a lot more left for her.”
