South Africa, August 17 – Consistent five year-old gelding Garrington won his fourth race in South Africa at Vaal on Thursday when successful in the merit rated handicap over 1200 metres.
Prepared by Buddy Maroun, the son of Catbird carried 59.5 kg to win by half a length in taking his overall record to four wins and nine placings from 21 starts.
Garrington is the first foal of the Royal Academy (USA) mare Academy Royale, a winning daughter of stakes-winner Rassenvain.
Offered at the Perth Magic Millions in 2004 by De Grey Park, Garrington made $37,500 to the bid of Herman Brown Snr and was exported to South Africa.
Ill-fated Golden Slipper winner Catbird has been represented by winners all over the world this year, also featuring prominently in Hong Kong last season with seven individual winners including top class sprinter Green Birdie.
Green Birdie was rated the equal fifth best three year-old sprinter in Australia last season on the ANZ classifications with a rating of 108 based on his close second to champion mare Miss Andretti in the Group Two Schillaci Stakes last spring.
He was subsequently sent to Hong Kong where he has turned in some highly promising efforts and is regarded as one of the top sprinting prospects for the new season, which kicks off in September.
Another of Catbird’s best performers in Cateclipse has been sent to North America, departing our shores back in July.
A Group Three winner up to 2000 metres of over $400,000 in prizemoney, it will be interesting to see if Cateclipse reproduce his best form for the Americans.