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Tattersalls Club Tiara 2015 racing review
19 June 2015 14:45 PM
Group 1 racing continues at the Gold Coast this Saturday for the running of the 2015 Tattersall's Tiara. The half a million dollar prize money pool has attracted a field of fillies and mares worthy of Group 1 status and has left punters with a wide open betting market for the weight-for-age contest. The track is currently rated a Soft (7), but with fine weather predicted from here until they jump, that rating could easily improve.
Early favourite is Najoom, who is an emergency and not assured of a start. If she makes it to the barriers she will be one of the hardest to beat after a couple strong wins in Group 3 company where she blitzed the opposition in both soft and dry going. She is one of a number with pace in the race. Top hoop Tommy Berry will be steering from her wide barrier so she should get a good position in the running and be ready to fire in the straight.
Winner of the Stradbroke, Srikandi proved that she is a serious mare with that result and looks ready to race again here. Doesn't get any favours with the barrier draw, but early speed and McEvoy in the saddle addresses that challenge somewhat. She rises 4kg in the weights from that run in open company but shes back with the girls.
Is this the race where Catkins finally breaks through for her first Group 1 victory? That outcome is sure to produce another emotional post race interview with training sensation Chris Waller. She has raced within a whisker of horses that have proven themselves at Group 1 level so she has to be given a top chance. Barrier 3 should allow Bowman to guide her towards a perfect position in the running with good cover in a race where I think the pace could be deadly. She has three seconds, two thirds and a fourth from seven Group 1 starts and truly deserves the break through.
Sydney mare Avoid Lighting looks to go two better than her third place in this event last year. Her run into the race is as sound as she could hope for with three strong last runs. Only concern is barrier 1 with strong pace outside her. She may be looking for a Hail Mary in the straight but jockey Tim Clark, who is riding in hot form at the moment, will be working hard to give her every chance.
I am forgiving Lumosty last start after a tough run wide from barrier 10. Starts from there again here. She seemed a class above in the 1200m Listed race before that when she smashed the field by 2.8 lengths, so no doubting her ability. If she gets a good position in the running she will be flying home for all money. Definite danger.
Biggest chance at double figure odds is Hazard who beat Catkins in the Dane Ripper a few weeks ago after racing wide for a good part of the journey. She is currently showing $15 fixed odds.
I' m with Catkins tomorrow for her first Group 1 win. Biggest danger is Najoom, in for second and Srikandi third. Hazard goes into the trifecta if Najoom doesn't race.
Mike Steward