Melbourne, March 11 – Outstanding Catbird filly Catechuchu had to settle for second on Saturday to stablemate Anamato in the Group Two Kewney Stakes at Caulfield, but her place prizemoney cheque was still sufficient to kick her past half a million in earnings.
The David Hayes trained filly faced the breeze in second spot throughout, while Anamato enjoyed a sweet passage and proved a touch too strong over the concluding stages in scoring by a length.
Catechuchu has been in constant work since resuming from a spell on August 5 and her efforts to retain top form and be competitive amongst the best fillies for such a long period are a testament to her constitution and the skill of David Hayes.
Purchased by renowned judge Mark Pilkington for $50,000 from the draft of Collingrove Stud at the 2005 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Catechuchu is from the Dahar (USA) mare Noble Fleur, a half-sister to Group Three winner Toy Image and stakes-winner and stakes producer Lucky Witch.
Her yearling full sister was sold by Swettenham Stud at the 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale for $410,000 to international agent Adrian Nicoll, which is a record price for a Catbird yearling sold at public auction.
Golden Slipper winner Catbird has just the one entry for the Inglis Australian EasterYearling Sale, a filly to be offered as Lot 219, from Grand Performance, a half-sister to Golden Slipper winner Stratum.
