Perth, January 1 – Classy Catbird stayer Cats Fun made it a winning hat-trick in Perth on New Year’s Day when he score a thrilling win in the Group Two WATC Perth Cup over 3200 metres.
In a race marred by a multiple horse fall in the early stages, Cats Fun managed to escape the fracas and settle back near last for much of the race saving valuable energy over the marathon journey.
When asked for an effort coming to the home turn, he responded keenly for champion jockey Damien Oliver, rising to the challenge and passing horse after horse until only the Scenic (IRE) gelding Exhilarating remained to be caught.
Cats Fun knuckled down and extended, grabbing that horse on the line to win by a neck with nearly five lengths back to the third placed horse.
Trained at Henley Brook by Michael Grant, Cats Fun has been a top class performer over a number of seasons now, having won the Group One WATC West Australian Derby as a three year-old.
Bred by WA based farm Dawson Stud, Cats Fun was purchased for $75,000 at the 2004 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale by John Chalmers Bloodstock and has gone on to win seven races and $784,990making him the highest stake earner sired by ill-fated Golden Slipper winner Catbird.
He is the third foal of the Zabeel mare She’s Zeel (NZ), a winning daughter of New Zealand Group Two winner She’s Fun and owes much of his considerable stamina to his female family.
Dawson Stud sent She’s Zeel back to Yarraman Park last spring where she was covered by Catbird in early December and has since produced a filly.
Catbird has four yearlings catalogued for the Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale that are sure to command plenty of interest.