By Mike Dillon
Mike Tololi's Chatham Lodge was yesterday leading vendor by average when Karaka finished its premier session and tomorrow he is looking for the icing on the cake with Catamarca at Te Rapa.
Tololi shares in the Catamarca ownership syndicate which hit near mourning mode when the one-from-one filly drew the horror outside barrier in the $100,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Classique at Te Rapa.
This is not a race you scratch from because of a bad barrier.
It is a one-off chance at $100,000 for graduates of the 1998 Select Fillies yearling sale, the 1999 version of which will begin only hours after tomorrow's race.
Trainer Stephen Autridge has a big opinion of Catamarca and did not waste words when asked for a quote about the race.
"She's very well. It's a pity she's drawn wide, but it won't matter," Autridge said yesterday.
"If she jumps from the gates like she did when she won at Ellersle, she'll clear them and get to the rail before they know it.
Autridge isn't one to get smart, he simply has enormous faith in his filly.
"Why I think she'll still win is that she has a terrific temperament. If she gets to the front she'll relax."
Catamarca beat subsequent Magic Millions winner Quorum, albeit with a big weight advantage, in her debut.
There is plenty of talent against her this time.
Annalee created a big impression when she made a winning debut on this track four weeks ago and while she is up in class, she rates highly.
So does Imperatrice, who did not get the best of runs when fifth in the Magic Millions.
In her previous start she chased talented Ete Pins hard on Boxing Day at Ellerslie. To her advantage she has drawn better than Catamarca and Annalee.
Guided Missile raced lengths below his best when beaten favourite at Trentham last start, but is worth one more chance in the Ra Ora/Haunui Partnershp, first leg of the TAB treble.
Before that effort Guided Missile's form was excellent and his best effort would just about get him home in this line-up.
Horse Racing: Catamarca can overcome draw
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