Outstanding sprinter Catapulted will head to the Gold Coast for the $400,000 Magic Millions Cup after his sizzling win in today’s Group Three Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.
A group winner in Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane, Catapulted was regarded the best horse in the race by the handicapper and he lived up to the rating with a stunning win.
The win was sensational – considering the margin was a widening three lengths and the time for the 1200 metres was a sizzling 1 minute 7.66.
The time was just half a second outside Iglesia’s long standing track record for the famous Flemington six furlong straight journey.
Trainer Mark Kavanagh said he would be in line for a kiss tonight from his wife Isobel, who is a part owner in the son of Catbird.
Kavanagh said Catapulted would now head to the Gold Coast to play his part in Queensland’s richest race meeting – the $4.3 million Magic Millions raceday.
“I was surprised he did that with the weight (59kg) but he is a good horse when right,” Kavanagh said after the emphatic win.
“I thought we had him nearly back and it is good to see him hit form again.”
“He got them off the bridle a long way out and that always helps in straight races.”
“He’s been a fabulous horse – a great horse.”
“It is a quality handicap so we might take him up there now,” Kavanagh said referring to the Magic Millions Cup.
“He will fly up on Thursday with a couple of others (including BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic bound youngster Alezan Thunder).”
A $90,000 purchase for Kavanagh from the 2007 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, Catapulted was bred by Bob and Helen Dinham along with the Watson family’s Mill Park operation at Meningie which prepared and sold the youngster at the Morphettville auction.
He is by Danehill’s Golden Slipper winning son Catbird and from the well related Umatilla mare Siren Miss.
Siren Miss is a full sister to Umatune – the stakes winning dam of stakes performed trio Jestatune, Saxon Palace and Ihtsatune.
Catapulted now boasts the outstanding record of 11 wins and six minor placings from just 27 runs and earnings of nover $770,000.
Winner: Catapulted
Breeding: Catbird-Siren Miss (Umatilla)
Race: VRC Standish Handicap G3 (1200m)
Sold for: $90,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale
Vendor: Mill Park (As Agent)
Buyer: Mark Kavanagh
Earnings: $770,825
Owner(s): Mrs IP Kavanagh, JD Dollman, WR Glynn, JL Purdey, DL Bray, DF Moriarty, GS Small, AJ Taylor & WTR (Mgr: PR Gunner)
Trainer: Mark Kavanagh (Flemington)
