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N.Z. 2000 Guineas, Group 1 : Riccarton Park - 9th November 2019

3 minute read

Catalyst wins N.Z. 2000 Guineas, Group 1, NZ$500,000 at Riccarton Park, 1600m.

Catalyst winning the N.Z. 2000 Guineas
Catalyst winning the N.Z. 2000 Guineas Picture: Race Images Photo

He's special all right and Catalyst proved beyond all doubt that he is the best three-year-old in the country, showing oodles of class, overcoming a heavy bump at the top of the straight then racing away for yet another impressive victory, his fifth in six starts and fourth successive stakes.

He settled midfield fifth (rails) soon after the jump and remained there from the first corner, around the bend and approaching the home straight.

The mediocre pace saw the field compact starting the run home and Catalyst was in traffic yet moved away from the fence just as Run To Perfection drifted inwards.

A heavy bump momentarily unbalanced him but space opened up at the 300m and he bounded up alongside the leaders then catapulted clear. In cruise mode, jockey Troy Harris looked over his shoulder but the damage was done and he was allowed to ease down at the line, a flattering two and quarter lengths clear.

A super run from Harlech who was last at the 1200m, improved to third last at the 800m, pulled out from the 400m and maintained a long, strong run out in the centre of the track in a very solid run for second.

Sherwood Forest sat third past the 800m, went forward to challenge from the top of the straight and took over at the 300m.

He went to line doggedly to be a clear third. Run To Perfection went up to fourth at the 600m, bumped the winner at the 400m yet recovered sufficiently to keep going gamely to the line for fourth.

Zelenski sat second into the straight and was squeezed for room but once in the clear, ground away for fifth.
ANZ Bloodstock News

Riccarton Park

Saturday, 09th November 2019

7
15:43
(local)

N.Z. 2000 Guineas (G1)

Age: 3yo Type: OPEN
NZD $500,000
1600m TURF GOOD
7
15:43
(local)
NZD $500,000
1600m GOOD

N.Z. 2000 Guineas (G1)

Age: 3yo Type: OPEN

This G1 2000 Guineas 3yo only mile was won in stupendous fashion by Catalyst to cement being the best of his age group in New Zealand by a considerable margin. The gelding started odds on and in fact at the incredibly tight price of $1.20 but blew them away by over two lengths after settling down fifth the inner then bumping his way labelled urgent out into clear at the 400m. The winners and where they turned for home in race order were fourth (on fence a length and a half from the leader), third (five-off the inside and a neck from the leader), fifth (one-off the inside and length and a half from the leader), fifth (five-off the inside and two and a half lengths from the leader), eighth (three-off the inside and two and a half lengths from the leader), fifth (on fence and four lengths from the leader), fifth (three-off the inside and two lengths from the leader), seventh (one-off the inside and two and a half lengths from the leader), third (three-off the inside and a head from the leader) and second (one-off the inside and half a length from the leader. Catalyst was undefeated as a 3yo coming into today and made it four on end plus he has made the perfect Blacktype progression of a Listed win into G3 then G2 and now G1. He has gone from 1200m to the mile and handled it with aplomb and is simply superior to anything of his age in New Zealand. The way he blew his rivals away again today was made even more impressive as his 1:36.06 time was the best mile clocking on the whole day and bettered the older horses in Benchmark 82 and Benchmark 65 by more than two lengths. It was his fifth win in six starts and interestingly he has never been beaten on raceday or in any trials when Troy Harris has been atop. Harlech ran on strongly from last for a good second while Sherwood Forest ran an honest third after trailing the leaders on the inner. Run To Perfection raced fourth then fifth the outer across the top and was pushed heavily out of the way by the winner at the 400m as if in a different league. Zelenski at $101 sat second then turned for home third before weakening to be fifth at the 200m though he never chucked in towel totally too his credit. Chuck A Luck was only a fair sixth and Callsign Mav is purely a sprinter as the mile proved too far and he finished seventh. The rest were either outclassed or it is too early in the season for them before they strengthen up completely or they need give in the ground at least. Catalyst may well come back next season unbeatable as a 4yo at WFA as there is nothing likely to be his opposition in New Zealand that could get anywhere near him and especially as the likes of Te Akau Shark and Melody Belle will be left in Australia for next Spring at least.



FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 1. CATALYST (NZ) 3yo G
DARCI BRAHMA (NZ) - EVANA (NZ)
TROY HARRIS
CLAYTON CHIPPERFIELD
$1.2
56.5kg
Karreman Racing Pty Ltd (Mgr: D Karreman)

Sales Information

2nd 2. HARLECH (NZ) 3yo C
DARCI BRAHMA (NZ) - OBSESSION (NZ)
CAMERON LAMMAS
MICHAEL MORONEY & PAM GERARD
$13
56.5kg
Elias Fletcher Partnership, R A & J A Paddon, A Schmedje & Ballymore Stables Nz Ltd

Sales Information

3rd 4. SHERWOOD FOREST (AUS) 3yo G
FASTNET ROCK (AUS) - CHASING MAMMON (AUS)
JASON WADDELL
TONY PIKE
$21
56.5kg
Goodson & Perron Family Trust, Calder Bloodstock Ltd & Deborah Martin

Sales Information

4th 6. RUN TO PERFECTION (AUS) 3yo C
SEPOY (AUS) - EL SHAHAR (AUS)
MATTHEW CAMERON
STEPHEN MARSH
$21
56.5kg

Sales Information

5th 8. ZELENSKI (NZ) 3yo G
SHOCKING (AUS) - GRACE DE SOIR (NZ)
JASON LAKING
KEN RAE & KRYSTAL WILLIAMS
$101
56.5kg
6th 7. CHUCK A LUCK (NZ) 3yo G
NIAGARA (AUS) - BOOMCHUCKALUCKA (NZ)
SAM WEATHERLEY
MICHAEL & MATTHEW PITMAN
$26
56.5kg

Sales Information

7th 3. CALLSIGN MAV (NZ) 3yo G
ATLANTE (AUS) - RAADISI (NZ)
CRAIG GRYLLS
JOHN BARY
$16
56.5kg

Sales Information

8th 11. ALL ABOUT MAGIC (NZ) 3yo F
SHOWCASING (GB) - ROSECROFT (NZ)
LISA ALLPRESS
MICHAEL & MATTHEW PITMAN
$26
54.5kg
9th 10. LIGHTNING JACK (NZ) 3yo G
PER INCANTO (USA) - LA PETITE (NZ)
R J MYERS
K & A TYLER
$81
56.5kg

Sales Information

10th 9. CHARLIE AWESOME (NZ) 3yo G
TAVISTOCK (NZ) - SWEET CHARLOTTE (NZ)
CHRIS JOHNSON
STEPHEN MARSH
$51
56.5kg
11th 5. AOTEA LAD (NZ) 3yo G
SAVABEEL (AUS) - CORSAGE (NZ)
MICHAEL MCNAB
JAMIE RICHARDS
$31
56.5kg

Sales Information

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