Flashy 3-year-old Catalyst contributed to a huge day for The Oaks Stud owner Dick Karreman and his resident sire Darci Brahma, when he captured the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings in emphatic fashion.
The Oaks Stud bred and raced 3-year-old gelding Double Impact had opened his account in style with a dashing debut performance to win over 1000m at Ruakaka less than 30 minutes before Catalyst destroyed his 3-year-old opposition at his first attempt at stakes company.
Exciting 3-year-old filly Kali, who is part-owned by Karreman, had kicked things off for the Oaks Stud supremo when winning the second race at Hastings, albeit in the inquiry room, after being second past the post following a rocky run in the home straight.
All three horses look certain to feature in the upcoming 3-year-old spring features with Catalyst advancing his claim to start favourite in the Gr.2 Sacred Falls Hawke's Bay Guineas (1400m) on the last day of the Hastings carnival on October 5.
A lightning beginning from an outside gate saw rider Troy Harris settle Catalyst in behind pacemaker The Fugitive within 100m of the start, where he travelled easily to the home turn. Harris sent his mount to the front at the top of the straight and he easily put three lengths on his rivals, a margin he maintained to the winning post, winning with a fair bit in hand from Equinox and the late-closing Loire.