September 24, 2015
She is the flashy grey mare carrying the famous cerise silks that has captured the hearts of the Sydney racing public – and she’s on show again at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.
Catkins – aiming for her 17th career win and a remarkable tenth victory on her home track – is the $1.55 TAB.com.au favourite in the $400,000 Group 2 Ronald McDonald House Westmead Golden Pendant Stakes.
The glamour mare will be striving to reverse last year’s Golden Pendant result as she again takes on another grey in Arabian Gold ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds), who defends her crown, this year trained by Gai Waterhouse, and Slightly Sweet ($11 TAB Fixed Odds), ridden by Kathy O’Hara.
Gai also trains Group 1-winning mare Amanpour ($15 TAB Fixed Odds) whilst Kristen Buchanan trains the tough and consistent frontrunner Two Blue ($21 TAB Fixed Odds) as the ladies look to steal the show.
This girl power on the turf is backed by the Australian Turf Club’s inaugural Women In Racing function in the Grand Pavilion hosted by Sky Racing’s Caroline Searcy, with some tickets still available at www.theraces.com.au
Trainers Gai Waterhouse, Barbara Joseph and Betty Lane, jockey Winona Costin, rising bookmaker Brooke Pendlebury, and popular milliner Nerida Winter will be some of the special guests helping to celebrate the many achievements and variety of roles that women play across the industry.
General admission customers who pre-purchase tickets at www.theraces.com.au before midday on Friday receive a complimentary flute of Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial, valued at $25.
TAB Rewards Club Members who present their card at gates this Saturday at Rosehill Gardens receive free entry to the course as the ATC’s Sydney Spring Carnival continues into its third week.
Australian Turf Club Chief Operating Officer Tony Partridge said few horses racing in Sydney were as popular as Catkins.
“Catkins and Arabian Gold put on a thrilling race last year, and this Saturday Catkins gets her chance to go one better and show why she is such a crowd and punters favourite,’’ Mr Partridge said.
“Those silks she carries are so famous too that I wouldn’t be surprised if her fans wore a splash of cerise or even waved her colours in support.
“She has such a great finish, and horses such as Catkins and Winx who storm home like they did a couple of weeks ago are what people love to cheer at the track.’’
The $1 million Group 1 The Star Epsom favourite Winx will also make an appearance at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday with a special gallop after race 1 on the course proper.
As the girls aim to steal the headlines the boys on the track will also be out in force in several other features.
The $200,000 Group 2 Dyldam Stan Fox Stakes sees Hugh Bowman aboard the Chris-Waller trained Press Statement ($1.50 TAB Fixed Odds), backing up from a luckless run the De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose, clashing with the Hawkes Racing colt Rageese ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).
The Waller stable also has two of the top picks – Vanbrugh ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds) and Devil Hawk ($6 TAB Fixed Odds) – in the $200,000 Group 3 Gloaming Stakes.
And a strong field – with many chances heading towards the $1 million The Star Epsom – will clash this Saturday in the $170,000 Group 2 Leonay Plumbing Shannon Stakes, including the Hawkes Racing trio Messene ($7 TAB Fixed Odds), Ninth Legion ($5 TAB Fixed Odds), and God’s In Him ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds).
The ATC has partnered with Ronald McDonald House Westmead for the inaugural Ronald McDonald House Westmead Golden Pendant Day.
Ronald McDonald House Westmead is a not-for-profit organisation that relies heavily on volunteers, donations, corporate and community support to provide a “Home away from Home” for seriously ill children and their families.
Rosehill Gardens has free high-capacity WiFi across the racecourse precinct.
There is free public parking off James Ruse Drive as well as free parking in the infield from the Unwin Road entrance.
Arabian Gold (above) taking out last year’s Golden Pendant clashes again with Sydney’s star mare Catkins at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.