Champagne Cath has finally claimed the stakes win her trainer has always known was within her grasp, leading all the way in the Reginald Allen Quality at Rosehill.
Chris Waller said it was a relief to see the lightly raced filly take out the 1400m Listed race on Saturday and predicted she would be a Group One winner, maybe next week or maybe next year.
Champagne Cath - Photo by Steve Hart
“It is a relief to see her win a good race,” Waller said.
“There is a chance she could line up in the Flight Stakes next week but we will be guided by her.
“It’s a massive step and my gut feeling is that she won’t but we will think about it.”
Waller praised the ride of Jay Ford who also steered Champagne Cath to third against the males in the Dulcify Quality and took the initiative in the fillies feature.
Champagne Cath ($8) beat More Than Faith ($12) by a half length with She’s Bella ($7) a long neck third.
Favourite Shahad ($4.80) got her leg up in the gates and missed the start, losing all chance.
“Jay has done a great job with Champagne Cath,” Waller said.
“He doesn’t fight her and it was a good, game ride for a game win.”
Waller originally had Champagne Cath earmarked as his No.1 hope for the Group One Golden Rose but she failed to get to the race which the stable won with Zoustar.
She showed her promise with a debut win last December but missed a planned trip to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions the following month.
Waller said she needed to mature and would be even better in the autumn.
“I believe she will be a star in the autumn,” he said.
“That is where she will come into her own.”
