By Mike Dillon
If rival trainers in tomorrow's $85,000 Breeders Stakes at Matamata have been relying on Catamarca being undermined by her terrific effort to overcome difficulties at Te Rapa last start they are going to be disappointed.
Stephen Autridge laid down the bad news yesterday.
"Catamarca's work here on Tuesday was better than the gallop she produced before winning at Te Rapa," he said.
It did not need to be better. Catamarca showed she was one of the best fillies for a few years by sprinting hard to lead from a wide gate at Te Rapa.
She then relaxed beautifully into the trail when another runner wanted the lead before dashing two and a half lengths clear in the home straight.
Tristachine and Superjet, the next best fillies in the north, were not in that race. The trio come together for a fascinating match-up tomorrow.
The barrier draws are interesting. Superjet has fared best at No 2. Catamarca, at No 8, is wider than Autridge would like. Meanwhile, Tristachine has to come from the outside (No 12).
Because of her ability to relax, Catamarca is unlikely to be affected by her barrier.
It will be interesting to see if Tristachine will be get back in the running, as in recent starts, or whether Lance O'Sullivan will press forward.
Almost certainly it will be one or the other with clear definition. From that wide there is no safety in the middle ground.
Superjet's only failure was in the Magic Millions at Trentham last start when she tired noticeably in the last 200m.
She had a setback after winning her only two previous races. Co-trainer Frank Ritchie is confident the Jetball filly is fitter this time.
"I couldn't give her the work I would have liked for the Magic Millions and her effort reflected that. She's come on terrifically well since and has improved further after her easy trials win at Avondale last Friday."
Peter Johnson rides Superjet for the first time.
So much depends on the way this race is run. Regardless, Catamarca deserves to be favourite.
The Gold Brose filly does not have a weakness and possesses in abundance the two elements to be a top juvenile - speed and determination.
The BNZ Matamata Breeders Stakes has been won by some outstanding fillies. Catamarca would not be out of place alongside those names.
Autridge has a chance to take the other juvenile feature, the Fairview Ford Slipper, for the colts and geldings.
Jetter suffered from a wide barrier when resuming from a break at Te Rapa last start and can improve this time from the No 1 barrier.
He looked good in the spring. His dash home from well back to eclipse Magic Millions winner Quorum at Pukekohe in October was outstanding.
Jermyn Street and the Noel Eales visitor Galleon are other smart types.
Horse Racing: Improved Catamarca too good
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