While there are no Group One races at Rosehill this weekend, many of the big-race contenders will be in action in six stakes races on the program.
Among leading trainer Chris Waller’s team is Sydney’s favourite mare Catkins who will be out to avenge her defeat in the 2014 Group Two Golden Pendant when she takes on Arabian Gold again in a battle of the greys.
Catkins
Catkins finished a half length behind Arabian Gold a year ago with that mare since featuring in a stable switch from David Vandyke to Gai Waterhouse after being sold at auction earlier this year.
A $2 million earner, Catkins has also been entered for the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes in Melbourne on Saturday but is likely to stay at home.
Under the set weights and penalties of the Golden Pendant, Catkins will carry 58kg as she did last year.
“She gets in with the same weight which is in her favour,” Waller said.
“She is not at her peak yet but is getting close and after Saturday, hopefully she goes to Melbourne.”
There were 11 entries taken on Monday for the fillies and mares feature including Catkins’ stablemate Winx with Waller favouring a race day gallop instead for the Epsom Handicap favourite.
Widden Stakes winner Fireworks has been entered for two races on the program and two in Melbourne but trainer Gerald Ryan says she will not run in any of them.
The filly was scratched from Saturday’s Tea Rose Stakes because of the wet track and rain is forecast for the rest of the week in Sydney.
“I’ve discussed it with (owner) John Camilleri and we’ve decided to run her in a barrier trial on Friday and then go to the Flight Stakes the following week,” Ryan said.
“I think wet tracks are the only thing stopping her so we’ll just go straight to the Group One.”
The Group Two Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) attracted nine entries on Monday but with Fireworks and her stablemate Flying Achilles to come out and the Waller-trained Metallic Star Caulfield-bound for the Guineas Prelude, Group One winner Press Statement may have few rivals.
“Press Statement is better suited by the conditions of the Stan Fox than the Guineas Prelude so he will stay in Sydney,” Waller said.
