Written by Paul Vettise
Damian Lane will ride the glamour New Zealand 3-year-old Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) in his upcoming Australian autumn campaign.
The internationally successful Group 1 winning jockey has been locked in for The Oaks Stud-bred and raced gelding in the G3 CS Hayes S. at Flemington on February 15 and the G1 Australian Guineas a fortnight later.
“Damian’s manager said he wouldn’t take a ride until he knew the horse was definitely going over and he’s now confirmed for those two races, possibly three,” said the Cambridge farm’s General Manager Rick Williams.
Catalyst (NZ)
“If we can win the Australian Guineas then he’ll be in the All-Star Mile for sure.”
Troy Harris has ridden Catalyst in his last five wins, including the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton and his blazing return at Ellerslie on Karaka Millions evening when he was far superior in the G3 Mr Tiz Trophy.
“Troy (Harris) is obviously disappointed, but he understands. Local knowledge will be a big advantage in Australia and we have to take everything we can,” Williams said.
“He’s bounced through Ellerslie very well and he’s ready to go. He’s improved with the run and we’re confident he’s going to be very competitive.”
“He’s improved with the run and we’re confident he’s going to be very competitive.” – Rick Williams
Williams said Harris would ride the Clayton Chipperfield-trained Catalyst in all his future New Zealand racing and, looking ahead, that may include the three Group 1 features at the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival.
“He could start off again in the Triple Crown series and hopefully do a Melody Belle,” Williams said in reference to the mare’s historic clean sweep of the Hastings features last year.
The Oaks Stud General Manager, Rick Williams
“That would be the logical way to go and then maybe the Golden Eagle or the Cox Plate, it’s a long way off yet and we’ll see what happens and what fits in best.”
While Catalyst has been outstanding in his seven start career – he’s unbeaten in his last six – up to 1600 metres, Williams is confident the gelding can star over more ground in time.
“He’ll be a 2000 metres horse eventually. We know he’s a very, very good sprinter-miler and I’m sure he’ll go further later on,” Williams said.
Catalyst has a pedigree to draw confidence from on that score with his close relatives Devise (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) and Zurella (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) Group 1 and 2 winners respectively and both G1 New Zealand Oaks runners-up.
Other top-class middle distance weight-for-age performers featuring in the pedigree is the former Australian Horse of the Year and successful sire Lonhro and his two-time Group 1 winning brother Niello (Octagonal {NZ}).
