KEY POINTS:
Rider Gavin McKeon is not the least bit surprised by Kaatoon's early favouritism for the NZ Bloodstock Royal Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie today.
A cramped $3.80 fancy with the TAB yesterday, the natural-born stayer is a fresh runner to the carnival with just three career starts to her name.
But McKeon isn't fazed by any of Boxing Day's Eight Carat Stakes stars she faces in her first group race assignment.
"I expect her to win the race," said McKeon, who partnered Kaatoon in clearing maiden ranks in November.
"She showed with her maiden win that she had good staying ability and she proved that in listed company last time."
McKeon is referring to Kaatoon's unlucky third to Sircross and Twoeezy in the Great Northern Guineas Prelude (2100m) at Ellerslie on December 16.
With a week's suspension, McKeon was forced to watch from the sidelines that day as Michael Coleman warmed his seat.
But McKeon was rapt with the run from his long-range New Zealand Oaks fancy.
After getting back in the early running, Kaatoon burst through on the fence near the 200m with what looked to be a winning run.
But the gap between Sircross and Twoeezy closed as she was getting into full stride forcing Coleman to stop riding near the post.
The Kaatoon camp fired in a protest against the winner but withdrew it after weighing everything up.
"The vibes from the stewards were negative," said Cambridge trainer Roger James of the decision to stay out of the judicial room.
"It wasn't going to make her a winner or increase her black type value and we were in for a dogfight for a 50/50 chance."
James adds blinkers today in the hope the laid back Kaapstad filly will take a closer trail for McKeon in the Royal Stakes.
He'd like to think she's improved with her last start run, but admits that Kaatoon is impossible to get a line on at home.
"I've trained a lot of good three year old fillies, but I don't think I've ever had one with a better constitution," he said.
What the long-striding Kaatoon has going for her is a staying burst James is hoping will be impossible to resist come Oaks day at Trentham.
First-day winner Satinka was strong and looks hard to hold out again.
* McKeon is tipping a memorable New Year's celebration for Auckland owner Peter Walker at Ellerslie today.
Forty minutes before he jumps aboard Kaatoon, which Walker co-owns with long-time James client Ron Dixon, he partners the Walker-owned Cross Roads in the Dunstan Feeds Championship Final.
"I think I'll win it," said McKeon of the under-card feature. "Every hurdle he faces he clears with ease."
He's continued to surprise me. I thought he was only a fair horse but every time he races my opinion of him has got stronger."
